Ahead of India’s T20 World Cup 2021 opener against Pakistan, skipper Virat Kohli highlighted the importance of providing “periodic breaks” to players from bio-bubble life to refresh themselves.
The bio-bubble created for safety purposes in the COVID-19 pandemic takes a toll on the mental health of cricketers. The area of movement is restricted for every team. Sometimes they remain in the bubble for months which isn't easy to deal with.
Players have often left the bio-bubble in the middle of a series or tournament. Recently, West Indies batter Chris Gayle did the same while playing for IPL franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) due to bubble fatigue.
“It’s necessary to have a balanced approach, it’s important to give players periodic breaks, where they can get mentally refreshed and come into the environment, where they can again compete, this is important," Kohli said at the pre-match press conference.
“Going forward, it’s necessary this thing needs to be considered. I understand that for a long-time cricket has not happened in the world, but to cover up that if you ask a player to risk, I don’t think world cricket will benefit from it,” he added.
Kohli further expressed concerns about the mental health of the players, citing that the repetitive nature of bubble life is tough the team management needs communication with the players in this regard.
“Players need to be communicated where they are placed, what they want. You cannot tell who is mentally at which stage individually in a bio-bubble. If you see 5-6 people (players) happy, you cannot determine that all 15-16 people (players) are feeling the same way."
The Indian captain, however, said a tournament like the T20 World Cup gives players motivation.
“The good thing is we have just played the IPL with eight teams, every day was a new challenge, you are involved as the tournament builds up in order to achieve your goal,” said Kohli.
“World Cup gives you different motivation being a multinational tournament. You have the opportunity to face many international sides whom you may not have faced before. So, new challenges come up that help you keep your focus intact. But going forward, it (stress due to bio-bubble life) is important to consider that,” he concluded.
(With PTI inputs)
