"I've felt like it was the end of the world": Virat Kohli reveals suffering from mental health issues during England tour in 2014

The India captain has hailed Glenn Maxwell for drawing attention to anxiety problems by withdrawing from consideration by Australia

Virat Kohli has revealed how he suffered from mental health problems during India's tour of England in 2014.

Test cricket's No.1 batsman suffered a poor series five years ago, scoring just 134 runs at 13.40 against the moving Dukes ball.

Kohli, 31, admits to having agonised over his game and hesitated from going public over his anxiety issues due to being unsure over how they would be received.

"I've gone through a phase in my career where I've felt like it was the end of the world," he said. "In England 2014, I just didn't know what to do, what to say to anyone, how to speak, how to communicate. 

"To be honest, I couldn't have said I am not feeling great mentally and I want to get away from the game because you never know how that's taken.

"I think these things should be of great importance because if you think that a player is important enough, for the team and for Indian cricket to go forward, I think they should be looked after."

^{Virat Kohli has hailed Glenn Maxwell's decision to go public over his problems}

The conversation around sport's relationship with mental health has grown in recent years, assisted by many individuals going public over their own struggles.

Recently, Australia allrounder Glenn Maxwell confirmed he was taking a break from the sport to deal with his own problems, a move which Kohli has hailed.

"I am absolutely for it. To be very honest, you have a job to do, we have a job to do," he added. "And everyone's focused on what they need to do so it's very difficult for anyone to figure out what's going on in another person's mind.

"When you get to the international stage, every player that's in the squad needs that sort of communication and that ability to just speak out.

"I think what Glenn [Maxwell] has done is remarkable and it sets the right example for cricketers all over the world that if you're not in the best frame of mind, you try, you try, you try. But I think as human beings you reach a tipping point at some stage and you need some time away from the game."

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