'Virat Kohli has had his breaks'- Sanjay Manjrekar questions batter's extended rest from game

Virat Kohli’s lean patch with the bat has been a debate with India set to play two major tournaments later in the year- Asia Cup 2022 and the T20 World Cup Down Under. Moreover, Kohli taking breaks has not gone down well with cricketer-turned-cricket pundit Sanjay Manjrekar who wants the former to play all the matches since he has already taken ample rest.

Giving further clarification on the same, Manjrekar said that Virat has not played a lot of international cricket in the last two years, which has already given him enough break. Heading into Asia Cup in the UAE, Kohli’s form in the shortest format looks worrisome as he only managed scores of one and 11 in the two T20Is that he played against England last month.

Maybe there’s some logic there that we don’t know about: Sanjay Manjrekar

“I think they should have played Virat Kohli in every international match possible, whatever the format, because Virat has had his breaks. People are advocating that he should take some breaks, and he’s had his breaks. If you look at the last two years, he’s not played a lot of International cricket,” said the cricketer-turned-commentator on SPORTS18’s show – Sports Over The Top.

“Maybe there’s some logic there that we don’t know about. Maybe they had a chat with Virat Kohli, but my personal view is the more Virat Kohli would’ve played and especially these matches would’ve been better for him”, he added.

The batting megastar has been rested for the ongoing limited-overs series in the West Indies and will not be featuring in the three-match One Day Internationals against Zimbabwe starting August 18. He would next be seen in action during the Asia Cup that gets underway on the 27th of this month.

India begin their campaign on August 28 against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium, and all eyes will be on  Kohli’s form as he looks to make a statement against a formidable Pakistani bowling attack spearheaded by left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi.