Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) scripted history on June 3, 2025, as the team lifted the IPL trophy, after 18 long years of waiting. And every RCB fan was in tears as they saw Virat Kohli, their beloved and favourite player, breakdown after the win.This long-awaited victory wasn’t just about cricket, but also about personal evolution, discipline, and mental strength. Behind the aggressive on-field persona, Kohli has shown his self-growth and introspection lately, and over the years, he has often shared his reading choices with the public, offering a peek into the books that have shaped his mindset both on and off the field.And among the many different books he has read, as mentioned in online reports, interviews, pictures online, and more, here we mention 5 that have shaped him, and can do the same for you.
‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Paramahansa Yogananda
One of the most famous books read, loved, and recommended by Virat Kohli is this one. ‘The Autobiography of a Yogi’ is a spiritual classic and is not just a story, but a journey into spirituality.Kohli has often credited this book for helping him understand the deeper aspects of life, things that are above fame, success, and the material world, and it talks about the life of a Yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda, and his journey of looking for the truths of life.
‘Open’ by André Agassi
Another book read by Kohli is ‘Open’, often described as Agassi’s brutally honest memoir. It is said that this book is like a first-hand reading of the struggles athletes have to face, away from the glitz and glamour of their life that people see, and talks about Agassi’s love-hate relationship with tennis, his fears, and the constant pressure to perform.
‘Detox Your Ego’ by Steven Sylvester
Another exceptional book. Kohli was seen reading this while he sat in a stadium during a match. ‘Detox Your Ego’ is not about getting rid of confidence, but just stripping away the kind of ego and pride that blocks your growth in the long run. The book also asks people to notice and identify the difference between ego-driven actions and value-based choices.
‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne
One of the first pictures that Kohli shared of his reading was of ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne. The book is based on the law of attraction, and urges people to understand the power of positive thinking and visualisation, and focus their energies into the positive side of life because what you think and feel is eventually what you attract in life.
‘RAFA: My Story’ by Rafael Nadal and John Carlin
Another athlete’s memoir that left a mark on Kohli is ‘RAFA: My Story’, which is Rafael Nadal, one of the most celebrated tennis players’ books. The book talks about Nadal’s childhood, his highs and lows, the injuries he endured, the comebacks he did, and of course, some of his most iconic wins. It really showed Nadal’s mindset of respecting the process more than the outcome, and his journey to one of the greatest tennis players ever.
