Shastri feels Kohli is mentally “overcooked” and badly needs a break from cricket.
On Sunday (May 8), Kohli was dismissed for his third golden duck of the season as he got out in the very first delivery of the match against SRH at the Wankhede Stadium.
After his wicket, the debate once again started on whether the veteran batter should take a break from the game to rejuvenate himself.
The suggestion first came from former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who feels Kohli is mentally “overcooked” and badly needs a break from cricket.
The point was also discussed on-air by Harsha Bhogle, Matthew Hayden and Sunil Gavaskar during the RCB-SRH clash.
"Ravi Shastri suggested that Virat Kohli needs a break," Harsha stated while commentating in the second over of the match.
To which, Matthew Hayden said does Shastri holds the same viewpoint for Rohit Sharma, who is also struggling for runs in the ongoing IPL.
"Does he say the same about Rohit Sharma? I mean these guys are playing cricket all the time, of course these tournaments, they come around so quickly, you get yourself into a mental space and Kohli has been brilliant at it for so many years, so animated, so passionate. To come off that though just for a moment and you are under pressure," the former Australia opener said.
"It takes so much courage as well, no player ever believes that they can go to the selector and go, 'sorry, I need to be out' because you wanna play, you wanna be that person to take control of the innings. It is so frustrating when you are getting into a little rut, you cannot find ways out. Sometimes it can be an explosive cover drive, a great pull shot or in Virat Kohli's case, just a fantastic one or two with hard and positive body language like David Warner," he added.
"The only reason I brought that up, Ravi and Virat have known each other so well over the last 3-4 years, have run a lot of campaigns together, been very good at Test cricket. He knows the inner mind," Bhogle replied to Hayden.
Sharing his two cents on this matter, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar said: "As long as the break does not mean that you are missing India matches. India matches have to be No.1 every single time, as simple as that."
Against SRH, Virat Kohli chipped a delivery from left-arm spinner Jagadeesa Suchith straight into the hands of the short mid-wicket fielder. He will look to make his mark in the remaining matches of RCB.
The Faf du Plessis-led side, currently occupying the fourth spot on the points table, is due to take on Punjab Kings in their next match on May 13.
(With NDTV inputs)