New Delhi, May 20 -- Virat Kohli embraced leadership early in his career, but over time, the intensity with which he carried the dual responsibility of captain and batting mainstay left him emotionally and physically exhausted.

"It came very naturally to me, even from my Under-19 days, because I was so involved in the game and really present in what was happening on the field," Kohli said while speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru on Tuesday. "I always enjoyed extra responsibility and always had this feeling in my heart that I wanted to be the player the team could rely on."

Kohli was identified as a future leader after guiding India's Under-19 side to the World Cup title in Malaysia in 200...