“I Was Frustrated”: Yash Thakur Reveals Crucial Career Advice From Virat Kohli
Indian fast bowler Yash Thakur has opened up about one of the most difficult phases of his IPL career and revealed the advice he received from Virat Kohli when he was frustrated by a lack of regular playing opportunities.
Thakur, who is now with Punjab Kings and recently made his India T20I debut against Zimbabwe, said Kohli encouraged him to stop worrying about the future and instead concentrate on improving his preparation every day. The advice came at a time when Thakur was spending more time on the sidelines than on the field.
For a player trying to establish himself at the highest level, the message was simple: you cannot control when an opportunity arrives, but you can control how prepared you are when it does.
Yash Thakur Opens Up About His IPL Struggles
Thakur's IPL journey has been anything but straightforward.
The Vidarbha pacer made his IPL breakthrough with Lucknow Super Giants in 2023 after being bought for ₹45 lakh at the auction. Across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he played 19 matches for LSG and picked up 24 wickets.
However, his opportunities became limited after moving to Punjab Kings. Competition for places among the fast bowlers meant Thakur had to spend significant periods waiting for his chance.
According to Thakur, the situation became frustrating enough for him to speak directly with Virat Kohli.
He told Kohli that he was frustrated because he was not playing regularly. Rather than focusing on selection or trying to predict when his next opportunity would come, Kohli advised him to concentrate on the things within his control.
What Virat Kohli Told Yash Thakur
Kohli's advice centred around preparation and perspective.
Thakur revealed that Kohli told him not to think excessively about the future. Instead, he should appreciate the opportunities he had already received and make sure his preparation improved every day.
The key point was particularly relevant for a fast bowler competing for a place in a strong IPL squad.
If an opportunity suddenly arrives, a player cannot afford to spend the first few days getting ready. He has to already be prepared.
Thakur said the conversation prompted him to focus more heavily on his preparation.
That approach also offers a broader lesson for athletes: selection is outside a player's direct control, but preparation is not.
MS Dhoni Also Helped Thakur Deal With Pressure
Virat Kohli was not the only senior Indian cricketer whose advice influenced Thakur.
The pacer also recalled a conversation with former India captain MS Dhoni during his IPL journey. Thakur told Dhoni that he felt nervous and under pressure while playing in front of large crowds.
Dhoni's response was to put those feelings into perspective.
According to Thakur, Dhoni explained that such pressure would not simply disappear in the future. Whether playing in the IPL or eventually representing India, there would always be situations capable of creating nerves.
Instead of overthinking those moments, Dhoni advised him to allow himself time to settle down and let the situation become normal.
Thakur said the approach continues to help him whenever he feels pressure.
The Career Turnaround
What makes the story more significant is what happened after those difficult IPL years.
Thakur's domestic performances continued to keep him in contention. During Vidarbha's successful 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, he was the team's leading wicket-taker and produced important performances during the tournament.
His consistency eventually helped him move closer to the India setup.
The long wait finally ended in 2026 when Thakur made his T20I debut for India during the series against Zimbabwe. He has since played two T20Is and taken four wickets, according to the latest reports.
For a player who had spent considerable time waiting for IPL opportunities, an international debut represented a major career milestone.
Why Kohli's Advice Matters
There is a practical lesson in Thakur's experience that extends beyond cricket.
Professional sport is full of uncertainty. A player can perform well in domestic cricket and still find himself outside the playing XI. Injuries, team combinations, overseas players and tactical decisions can all influence selection.
That can easily lead to frustration.
Kohli's advice essentially shifted Thakur's attention from results he could not control to preparation he could control.
For Thakur, that meant ensuring that his bowling, fitness and mindset were ready whenever the opportunity came.
His experience also shows why consistency in domestic cricket remains important. Even when IPL opportunities are limited, strong performances outside the league can keep a player's career moving forward.
From Waiting for Opportunities to Playing for India
Thakur's story is particularly interesting because his IPL career did not immediately follow a straight upward trajectory.
He had a strong first IPL season, including 13 wickets for LSG in 2023, but his subsequent opportunities were inconsistent. After moving to Punjab Kings, his appearances remained limited.
Yet the absence of regular IPL cricket did not end his progress.
Instead, domestic performances, continued preparation and eventually opportunities with India A helped him stay in contention.
That makes his international debut more than just another debut. It represents the payoff from a period in which the pacer had to remain patient while waiting for opportunities.
What Comes Next for Yash Thakur?
The India debut is an important milestone, but it is only the beginning.
Thakur has now experienced international cricket and the pressure that comes with representing India. The next challenge will be consistency.
His ability to perform across different conditions, develop his variations and maintain fitness will determine whether he can establish himself as a regular option in India's T20 setup.
The competition will remain intense, particularly with India's deep pool of fast bowlers.
For now, however, Thakur's journey offers a clear message. A player may not always control when he gets selected, but he can make sure that he is ready when the call finally comes.
Conclusion
Yash Thakur's revelation about Virat Kohli's advice provides an insight into the mental side of professional cricket. During a frustrating IPL phase, Kohli urged him to stop worrying about the future, appreciate his opportunities and improve his preparation every day.
MS Dhoni, meanwhile, helped him understand how to deal with nerves and pressure.
Those lessons became especially meaningful when Thakur finally earned his India debut in 2026. His journey from limited IPL opportunities to international cricket is a reminder that setbacks do not necessarily end a career — provided the player keeps preparing for the next chance.
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