Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned Virat Kohli’s extended break from the game. After playing in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli was rested for the five-match series against South Africa and two-match series against Ireland.
Subsequently, he made a return to International cricket on the tour of England, where he could not get going with the bat. However, he was once again rested for the ODI and the T20I series against West Indies. Kohli was expected to make a return in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe but he was once again given a break by the selectors.
Kohli is now expected to return to the team’s squad for the Asia Cup and then the T20 World Cup. However, Sanjay Manjrekar believes Virat Kohli has had his breaks as he hasn’t played consistently in the last couple of years.
“I think they should have played Virat Kohli in every international match possible, whatever the format, because Virat has had his breaks. People are advocating that he should take some breaks, and he’s had his breaks. If you look at the last two years, he’s not played a lot of International cricket,” said the cricketer-turned-commentator on SPORTS18’s show – Sports Over The Top.
“Maybe there’s some logic there that we don’t know about. Maybe they had a chat with Virat Kohli, but my personal view is the more Virat Kohli would’ve played and especially these matches would’ve been better for him”, he added.
There is no doubt that India always has a hectic schedule in International cricket but Kohli has had enough rest. The right-hander hasn’t been at his best in the last couple of years and he needed to recharge his batteries.
Kohli is going to play a massive role if India has to win the T20 World Cup in Australia and it will be imperative that the linchpin regains his lost form.
The talisman will now be in action in the Asia Cup, as India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India will face West Indies in the fourth T20I on Saturday at Florida.
