Virat Kohli is all set to play his 100th T20I for India this week.
Sanjay Bangar, former India batting coach, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach has stressed that Virat Kohli will be starting afresh after the three-week break, as the dashing right-hander is gearing up for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 in the UAE.
The former captain was last seen in action on the England tour in July, and since then was on a break from cricketing activities and was rested from the West Indies and Zimbabwe tours.
Kohli hasn’t scored an international century since November 2019 and has been severely struggling with the bat for over two years. However, he will be hoping to come out of his rough patch in the Asia Cup 2022.
Ahead of the India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2022 on August 28 in Dubai, Bangar revealed that Kohli didn't want to talk about the game throughout the three-week break, and is now ready for a fresh start.
Sanjay Bangar said on a YouTube video posted by Star Sports: “He will be starting afresh. He has had numerous breaks in between as well, but those weren't meant to be defined as breaks. Here, he has taken a three-week off, he went away from the game.”
He further added, “He didn't want to talk about it. From that perspective, in his mind, the way he wants to play is very clear. The best Virat Kohli has played is when he is being himself. There's no point in him trying to be an athlete or human being that the world wants to see. What's more important is what he wants to see in himself. In that, he is very very clear.”
Notably, Kohli is all set to become the only second Indian after Rohit Sharma (132) to play the 100th T20I if he takes the field against Pakistan on Sunday. Rohit has the record for the most appearances in T20I cricket for India and overall as well.