IPL2022: If Virat wants to have a prolonged career at the top, he should take a break from this new season of IPL, Ravi Shastri
Virat Kohli has been struggling to get runs in this year’s Tata IPL 2022. Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri gives his 2 cents on the situation
Virat Kohli, the star Indian batsman has found it difficult to muster up runs in the Tata IPL 2022. This is a huge concern for RCB, who are hoping to lift their 1st ever IPL title, under Faf Du Plessis
Virat Kohli has scored just 128 runs in 9 innings, which include 2 consecutive golden ducks. Luck is also not favoring the batting genius, as he finds different ways to get out.
Ravi Shastri has said that, if Virat wants to have a prolonged career at the top, he should take a break from the Tata IPL 2022.
“I think it (a break) is ideal for him because he has played non-stop cricket and has captained the side across all formats. It will be wise of him to take a break. Sometimes you have to draw the balance. This year he is already into the tournament (IPL 2022), tomorrow if push comes to shove and you want to prolong your international career and make a mark there for 6-7 years, pull out of the IPL, for all you care,” Shastri said on sports presenter Jatin Sapru’s YouTube channel.
Ravi Shastri was the coach of India for 4 years, where India reached the World Cup 2019 Semi Finals and World Test Championship Finals. Co-incidentally, both the times India lost out to New Zealand.
“If that is the case, you have played for 14-15 years. Not only Virat, I’ll tell that to any other player. If you want to play and do well for India, you have to draw the line where you want to take that break.” Shastri added.
With the T20 World Cup later this year, India would want their main guns in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to be firing.
“The ideal break would be off-season where India is not playing and the only time India does not play is the IPL. Sometimes, you need to do that or tell the franchise I’ll only play the half. Pay me half, as simple as that. Those tough calls will have to come if you want to reach the zenith of your profession as an international player.”
Virat Kohli flourished under the guidance of Ravi Shastri, as a player and a captain.
“He (Virat) is still young and he has best 5-6 years ahead of him. He would have realised what he has gone through in these (last) few months. He knows he has to go back to the drawing board, how he thinks, how he approaches and he has to literally start from scratch. He isn’t the only one; there have been many players in the past who have gone through this,” stated Ravi Shastri.