Virat Kohli's absence from India’s Asia Cup 2018 squad has led to a little controversy after broadcasters Star Sports expressed their displeasure. While the chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad, had clarified that Kohli was rested to manage his workload, chief coach Ravi Shastri recently said that the Indian captain might be a bull physically but he also needs a break to stay fresh.

“Virat needed this rest. Physically he is a bull. You can’t get him out of the ground. And the thing with Virat is if he plays, then you know the level of intensity he brings. So it was a case of just mental fatigue, giving him a break, take your mind off cricket and then come back fresh”, Shastri told Gulf News.

“And we will have to do it with a lot of other players. You know like Bumah (Jasprit Bumrah), Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar), we have to sustain them and keep them energetic,” he added.

Considering the draining England tour, the BCCI had decided to rest Kohli from the Asia Cup 2018. Virat was one of the very few Indian players who played all the matches on England tour.

Moreover, the 29-year-old has been struggling with injuries lately. Before the England series, Virat had missed his maiden county stint for Surrey due to a neck sprain. During the second Test at Lord’s, the India captain suffered a lower-back strain as well.

Fresh from the two weeks break, Kohli is now all set to lead India in the two-match Test series against West Indies. While Rajkot will host the first Test between India and West Indies from October 4, the second Test will be played in Hyderabad from October 12.