Inside Virat Kohli’s bookshelf: 2 books he swears by
Discover the one book Virat Kohli believes everyone should read. A powerful read that shaped his mindset and inspired his relentless pursuit of excellence.
In a world where talent meets relentless discipline, Virat Kohli stands as a beacon of excellence, not just in cricket but in mindset, consistency, and personal evolution. While the world often credits his fitness routines and match temperament for his success, Kohli has pointed to something far less visible but equally transformative: his reading habit.
In a recent YouTube short (watch here), Kohli opened up about the two books that have profoundly impacted his journey. These are not just fleeting reads for him, but texts he returns to, reflects on, and recommends to those seeking clarity, discipline, and growth in life. According to Kohli, these books are part of his current favourites and offer lessons that transcend sport and apply universally to leaders, professionals, students, and anyone searching for purpose or reinvention.
How 2 books transformed Virat Kohli’s approach to life
1. Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
Published in 1946, this spiritual memoir of Paramahansa Yogananda has been a guiding light for countless seekers across the globe—including tech visionaries like Steve Jobs, and now, Virat Kohli.
Kohli credits this book for helping him shift his mindset from reactive to reflective. In earlier interviews and posts, he’s described how reading Autobiography of a Yogi challenged his long-held beliefs, encouraging him to dig deeper into the purpose of life, the power of the mind, and the importance of inner peace.
“I love this book. A must-read for all those who are brave enough to let their thoughts and ideologies be challenged,” Kohli once shared on Instagram.
This book doesn’t just explore the spiritual journey of one man—it opens the reader to a world of calm amidst chaos, offering a lens through which to navigate stress, pressure, and uncertainty. For a high-performance athlete like Kohli, who often plays in high-stakes environments, this inner grounding is essential.
2. Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella
In the same YouTube video, Kohli also reveals that one of his current reads is Hit Refresh—an introspective business memoir by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. The book explores Nadella’s journey of leading one of the world's largest tech companies through massive cultural and digital transformation.
What makes this book resonate with Kohli is its emphasis on leadership built on empathy, self-awareness, and the power of staying open to change. As someone who has captained the Indian cricket team and understands the highs and lows of responsibility, Kohli finds Nadella’s perspective both practical and inspiring.
Hit Refresh doesn’t just tell a story of corporate revival—it offers insights into how to lead with vision, stay grounded in values, and embrace change with optimism. For those in leadership positions or simply looking to grow in their careers, this book is filled with actionable reflections.
Why do these books matter?
Kohli’s reading list might seem unusual to some—one book dives deep into spiritual introspection, while the other focuses on technology and leadership. But that’s precisely the point. Success is rarely one-dimensional.
These reads are more than just personal favourites; they reveal how champions think. They seek balance between ambition and stillness, drive and humility, outer achievement and inner peace.