Virat Kohli Times the much-needed rest to perfection

Super humans do need rest! Indian skipper Virat Kohli has just got himself the much-needed break after all the non-stop cricket and antics on and off the field.
The world’s most complete batsman in the present day, who finished 2017 with 2818 international runs from 46 matches, recently highlighted of his body needing some rest leading India to a 9th successive Test series triumph. Against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded 3-match Test, Kohli was at his usual best commanding his troops with a valiant approach in batting.
Kohli has been involved in every series since his last break in 2016 and despite the toll the sport has on one’s body, the 29-year-old mustered courage and went ahead taking challenges head on. One series after the other at home, Kohli not only amassed runs and records but also got his side’s performance to reach the heights expected from this Indian cricket team.
In 2017 itself, Kohli smashed 2818 international runs against top opponents that ranged from Australia, England and New Zealand including the coveted ICC Champions Trophy. His remarkable year saw him notch 11 hundreds from 46 matches. Kohli has slowly found himself on top of the reputed best four that includes Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson.
The timely rest he has now found himself in comes on back of a 1-0 Test series victory against a spirited Sri Lankan side. He has been rested for the limited-overs phase against the same opposition. and in his absence Rohit Sharma will lead the side in the three ODIs and three T20 Internationals this month. Kohli’s body has taken a toll in the last two seasons and it was a smart move to hand him the break as he seeks some time off the field ahead of a crucial away series against South Africa starting next month.
The Delhi-born player will resume national duty in the full-fledged series against the Proteas which is already being touted as one of the toughest battles in recent times in conditions that haven’t quite been in India’s favour off late. Kohli’s last tour of Australia saw him score stupendous centuries and despite India’s shortcomings back then, he showed why he is the frontier of this batting line-up.
South Africa presents another challenge and with the Indian team now settled with the players at its disposal, fans will expect a solid show against a famed opposition who do not leave any stone upturned in their own backyard. What comes as an essential factor is that Kohli will resume the game in a fresh manner knowing the schedule ahead that will bring testing times with some vital away tours in the kitty.
Mentally Kohli has come out every time in a strong manner despite whatever has come on his way in the past 15-16 months. The saga involving former head coach Anil Kumble was a source of a let down in the manner the entire scenario was handled by the BCCI. Kohli had his differences with the former Indian legend and played a role with the cricket body not renewing Kumble’s contract despite having being successful during his tenure.
But now the incident is well behind the Indian captain and with his friendly mentor Ravi Shastri at helm, Kohli will be wanting to usher a new leaf in Indian cricket where the team finds success on a consistent level especially in Test cricket. Before the start of the recently concluded series, Kohli highlighted the fact that he isn’t a robot and will ask for rest when he deems fit.
“Definitely I do need a rest. When I think of the time my body should be rested I will ask for it, why not. I’m not a robot, you can slice my skin and check if I still bleed,” the Indian skipper had stated last month in a press conference addressed to the media. The modern day game often takes monumental effort with all the cricket up an international player’s sleeve that also includes the monetary benefiting domestic T20s.
The mix of cricket in today’s game is a huge factor for players to be on their toes knowing performances need to be on the rise every time they step out on the field. Kohli has diminished any set pattern to the demands of the game and has chipped in enormously applying his prowess to achieve everything in all three formats. Kohli’s rise as a modern day legend comes from an understanding of the game where his captaincy too has played a major role.
Come South Africa, the in-form player will be hoping that he makes most out of the break he deserves thoroughly and leads by an example.