Former India captain Virat Kohli is mentally “overcooked,” according to former India head coach Ravi Shastri, and needs to take a vacation from cricket to serve the country for at least another six-seven years.
The 33-year-old has had a tough patch in the ongoing IPL, scoring just two 40-plus runs in his last seven innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the midst of the Covid-19 limitations, which have restricted players to bio-bubbles, Shastri believes Kohli should be handled with empathy.
The former Indian head coach said
“I am going straight to the main guy here. Virat Kohli is overcooked. If anyone needs a break, it’s him,”
“Whether it’s two months or a month and a half, whether it’s after [the] England [tour in July] or before England – he needs a break because he has got six-seven years of cricket left in him and you don’t want to lose that with a fried brain.”
Kohli hasn’t hit a century in the last 100 matches and in the last seven months across all formats.
Recently, Virat stepped down from T20 captaincy for both the national side and his club and nd was also removed from the ODI captain’s position. According to Shastri, there may be one or two players in the world of cricket who are dealing with the same issue, which needs to be handled right away.
Ravi Shastri further added saying
“When I was [India] coach at the time when this first started, the first thing I said is, ‘You have to show empathy to the guys,'”
“If you’re going to be forceful, there is a very thin line there, from a guy losing the plot as opposed to him hanging in there and giving his best. So you have to be extremely careful.”
Kevin Pietersen agrees with Shastri on the situation of Virat Kohli
According to Shastri, there may be one or two players in the world of cricket who are dealing with the same issue, which needs to be handled right away.
Moreover, former England captain Kevin Pietersen echoed this opinion, saying Kohli should take time away from the game and social media to refresh himself.
The 41-year-old further said
“…the guy has had so much to deal with, from marriage to baby to media scrutiny and all on his personal life. He is the biggest star on show,”
“Virat Kohli needs to say, ‘Cricket boots, for six months, I will see you later.’ Turn off social media, go and get re-energised.”
The Englishmen added
“When the stadiums are full again, you guarantee him a spot in that side for the next 12, 24 or 36 months. Tell him, ‘You’re our guy. We know you’ll deliver for us.'”
“is going to find it very hard to continue delivering now as his brain is completely fried.”
Recently, Kohli was out for a duck on Tuesday night against Lucknow Super Giants. Virat is going through a bad form and he needs to get some rest before the grand T20 World Cup to be held later this year.
While RCB are backed by in-form Faf du Plessis as they currently stand at 2nd spot in the points table.
