A recent statement by Virat Kohli has become a headline in sports pages, as the cricketer highlighted the actual pressure and uncomfortable feeling caused by the growing camera culture.
Virat Kohli has spoken out loudly on the growing camera culture in the IPL. He openly said that the constant filming of players during practice sessions has become uncomfortable and intrusive.
During the RCB podcast, the cricketer said that players need peace and freedom when they are preparing for upcoming matches, but nowadays cameras follow them everywhere. He further explained that when a player walks into practice and sees multiple cameras ready to record, tracking each and every moment, it becomes difficult to focus naturally on improving their game.
Highlighting the importance of practice, he said practice is a time when a player tries and learns new tricks and techniques, and tests different types of shots to improve their game. But the constant camera presence makes players conscious of their surroundings and unable to concentrate. Because players’ each and every step is turned into content and widely shared on the internet, it creates a fear of being judged.
He also said that people should judge players based on how they perform on the actual ground, and that their match performance should be the topic of discussion. But practice is just practice, a simple part of a player’s life. According to him, preparation is a very personal thing, and players must have the freedom to work out and practice without being under constant public scrutiny.
In the podcast, he also talked about a recent incident involving New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson during RCB’s IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants. He said that the two of them were having a serious private conversation when one of the IPL’s roaming cameras came toward them and captured the moment. He said he found it frustrating that even a personal chat with a friend was turned into social media content.
He also admitted that social media plays a very crucial role, as it helps players connect more with their fans and even build their personal brand. But this should have a proper balance. He said there should be clear boundaries regarding when and how a player can be filmed.
Talking about the past, he said this type of constant camera culture was not part of the IPL when the format first started, and players were never prepared for this nonstop monitoring. Through his message, he emphasized that while social media and cameras are important, players’ privacy and personal space should also be maintained.
Also Read: Is Virat Kohli Moving To London With Family? https://www.vibesofindia.com/is-virat-kohli-moving-to-london-with-family/
