Virat Kohli Might Give Up India Captaincy To Focus On His Batting, Says Ravi Shastri

After relinquishing the T20I captaincy, Virat Kohli might do the same in other formats in order to focus on his batting, said former India head coach Ravi Shastri.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri says Virat Kohli might give up captaincy in other formats after doing so in the T20 version to deal with the intense pressure associated with the job, especially in COVID times. Shastri's tenure with the Indian team ended with an early exit from T20 World Cup. Kohli, who has taken rest for the T20 series and one Test against New Zealand to recover bubble fatigue in COVID times, has relinquished captaincy in the shortest format after the showpiece event.

Speaking to India Today, Shastri was asked about Kohli giving up captaincy in other formats to manage his workload better.

"In red ball cricket, India have been number one for the last five years under his captaincy. Unless, he wants to give it up or he is mentally fatigued where he says he wants to focus on my batting which can happen in the near future.

"It wont happen immediately but it can happen. The same might happen with white ball cricket, he might say he had enough and he focuses on Test captaincy. It is his mind and body that will make that decision. He won't be the first.

"A lot of successful players have given up captaincy to focus on their batting for their side." Shastri said Kohli remains the fittest cricketer in the team by far.