'Pull out of the IPL, for all you care' - Ravi Shastri has an advice for struggling Virat Kohli

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli is struggling big time to collect some good runs from his bat in the recent while and fans along with experts have expressed their concerns on the same. The latest one to open up on the issue is India’s former head coach Ravi Shastri who has worked in close quarters with Kohli for a considerable period of time. Shastri suggests a break for Kohli given he has played back-to-back across formats and captained too.

The former head coach believes that a break would be an ideal solution for the batting star so that he can come better in the coming days. It is important to note that Kohli is having the worst season since IPL inception where he has just gathered 128 runs in nine matches while averaging a meagre 16 so far.

“I think a break is ideal for him because he has played non-stop cricket and he has captained the side across all formats. It will be wise of him to take a break. You know, sometimes you have to draw the balance. This year he is already into the tournament (IPL 2022), tomorrow if push comes to shove and you want to prolong your international career and make a mark there for 6-7 years, pull out of the IPL, for all you care,” said Shastri while speaking on Jatin Sapru’s YT channel.

Not only, Virat Kohli, I’ll tell that to any other player: Ravi Shastri

Shastri further added that this specific advice he would not only give to Kohli but to any other batter struggling like that. It would be better for the star to take a break now rather than taking it while India is playing. The commentator also believes that Kohli can take up half-season of IPL asking the franchise to pay him half as some tough calls are very important to take.

“If that is the case, you have played for 14-15 years. Not only Virat, I’ll tell that to any other player. If you want to play and do well for India, you have to draw the line where you want to take that break and the ideal break would be off-season when India is not playing and the only time India does not play is the IPL. Sometimes, you need to do that or tell the franchise I’ll only play the half. Pay me half, as simple as that. Those tough calls need to come if you want to reach the zenith of your profession as an international player,” Shastri added.

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