Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Virat Kohli needs a couple of months' break from the game as it will be a big help for the dashing cricketer to come back and rule the world with the bat for the next three-four years.
He has further suggested that Kohli can play for the next four to five years as a gun player for the Indian cricket team if he takes a break at a regular interval, as it will help the right-hander to recharge and return to give his best with the bat for the side.
Shastri also wants Kohli to calm down and focus on his batting as he is now only a batter for India, having stepped down as the Test skipper recently following his removal as ODI captain by the BCCI.
Kohli holds the record for most Test appearances as India Test captain (68), as well as the record for most Test wins by an Indian captain (40). He recently played in the ODI series against South Africa.
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Speaking with Shoaib Akhtar on the former Pakistan player’s YouTube channel, Shastri said: “The pressure started building. People were looking for opportunities. No human being is perfect. I have seen greats of the game quit captaincy to focus on their cricket whether it's Gavaskar, Tendulkar, or MS. He played 94 Test, he could have easily played 10 or 15 more matches but he gave it up.”
He added, “He realizes he is 33, he realizes he has 5 years of good cricket ahead of him. If he can calm down, focus on his batting, take one game at a time, probably take a break from the game as well, I think, if he goes out for 2-3 months, if he takes a break from one series, it will do him a world of good.
He can come back and play those 3-4 years like a king, absolute king where he is clear mentally, knows exactly what his role is, and play as a team player. That's what I want to see Virat Kohli do now, come, contribute as a team player, and win games for India. That will be the legacy he will leave.”
On Kohli's decision to give up captaincy across formats, the format captain said: “I think, with Virat also he realized it was getting to him, especially in this bio-bubble environment, leading in all 3 formats of the game. You can't take a break also. He did the right thing by quitting from white-ball cricket.”
He said, “When it came to Test cricket, I was a little surprised because for the last 5 years we were the No. 1 team in the longest format. After one series defeats, it doesn't mean he had to quit captaincy. At the end of the day, I always respect a cricketer's judgment because I don't know what he is feeling.”
Shastri signed off by saying, “Sometimes when it comes to here (neck), your body tells you 'enough'. He couldn't have achieved more as a captain. 40 wins in 68 captains is a stunning record.”
