Virat Kohli will continue to play all three formats with the same intensity at least for the next three years before reassessing his workload,the Indian skipper explained in his pre-series press conference at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday (February 19). The 31-year-old is one of the busiest players in contemporary cricket who leads India across formats and is also captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
“I think it’s been eight or nine years that I’ve been playing almost 300 days a year with the travelling and practice sessions,” Kohli said when he asked to comment on his future plans, especially after David Warner’s recent hints of a possible retirement from the T20Is due to workload management. “And the intensity is right up there all the time. So it does take a toll on you,” he added more.
Additionally, being one of the most fittest cricketers around, Kohli also talks about his “periodic breaks” to keep himself fresh. He believes that is the only way one could play all three formats of the game.
“You are going to see a lot of that in the future from many players. Not just myself, especially from the guys who are playing all three formats. It’s not that easy. Periodic breaks for me seems to work pretty okay. At a time when the body doesn’t respond as well, maybe when I am 34-35, you might have a different conversation at that stage. But for the next two-three years, I have no issues at all. I can keep going on with the same intensity …”
Furthermore, from a team point of view Kohli said, that his contribution could help India ease into their next transition.
“So the mindset is on the larger picture, and from that point, I am preparing myself for a rigorous three years from now,” said the stylish right-hander.