Virat Kohli needs a break, cannot lose his services with a fried brain: Ravi Shastri
India Today
IPL 2022: Ravi Shastri on Tuesday said Virat Kohli is mentally cooked and he needs to be handled with care to make sure India doesn't lose out on the remaining years of cricket left in him. The former India coach asked Kohli to a break before or after the upcoming tour of England.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri stressed the importance of handling players with empathy and care amid the bio-bubble restrictions in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and asked Virat Kohli to take a break from competitive action.
Highlighting that Virat Kohli has been going through a lean patch in IPL 2022, Ravi Shastri said the former India captain still has 6-7 years of cricket left in him and India should make sure they don't lose out on it by pushing him hard, especially during these times when bio-bubble fatigue is a cause of concern.
Shastri suggested Kohli should be offered a break before or after India's tour of England, adding that the RCB star's brain is fried amid the constant scrutiny and the burden of expectations.
Virat Kohli got out for a golden duck in Royal Challengers Bangalore's win over Lucknow Super Giants in Match 31 of IPL 2022 on Tuesday. Kohli threw his bat at a wide delivery and was caught at point. The star batter looked hopeless as he was unable to believe what he had done in the middle.
"When I was 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," Ravi Shastri told Star Sports.
"I am going straight to the main guy here. Virat Kohli is overcooked. If anyone needs a break, it's him.
"Whether it's 2 months or a month-and-a-half, whether it's after England or before England.
