Virat Kohli, the India captain, has conceded that heavy workload of playing cricket across three formats, is taking a toll on his body.
The point can be capsulised by the fact that the fulcrum of India’s batting has played 25 Tests, 42 ODIs and 27 T20Is alongside representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in a couple of IPLs since the start of 2016.
As a result of his heavy workload, the Indian selection panel decided to rest him for the ongoing tri-series played in Sri Lanka. “Physically, I had a few niggles, I am just getting over those. The workload has started to disagree (taking a toll) with me a little bit. I have to be very careful about how I go forward with my body, my mind, my cricket,” Kohli said on the sidelines of a promotional event.
Kohli noted that the timely break is helping him to recuperate for fresh challenges ahead. “Times like these are important going ahead. I am enjoying it. I do not think I am missing out on anything, because my body really needed this. I have started to listen to my body. And when I am done with this period, obviously in the IPL I will be coming out fresh,” Kohli observed.
On a side note, the Indian batsman also admired the tennis legend, Roger Federer, for taking time out of the game last year (by missing the clay season) and adding two more majors to his already glittering collection of trophies.
“When he plays, it’s so beautiful. He has a family now, priorities set, he takes time out of the game without worrying about opinions and criticism of people and then he comes in and wins Grand Slams. At 36, he is defying all logic and that’s something I totally love. I hate following the norm and he is someone who is breaking barriers on a daily basis and I have huge respect for him,” Kohli said.
