Kohli exits Indian camp in Kolkata as BCCI gives him short break; likely to rest for Sri Lanka T20Is

ESPNcricinfo understands the decision to rest Kohli is part of a policy that is being put in to ensure the all-format regulars are given breaks periodically

ESPNcricinfo understands the decision to rest Kohli is part of a policy that is being put in to ensure the all-format regulars are given breaks periodically.

Kohli’s break at this juncture, in particular, is to ensure he is fresh for the two-Test series that follows the T20Is against Sri Lanka.

Kohli is currently on 99 Tests and is set to play his 100th in Mohali on March 4. He had earlier missed the Johannesburg Test in South Africa due to back spasms.

“These things will have to be considered,” he had said. “Like what length of the tournament or series one is going to play and what impact it will have on players mentally to stay in a similar environment for 80 days and not do anything different.

“Or have space to just go and see family or small things like that. These things have to be thought about seriously. At the end of the day, you want the players to be in the best state mentally, based on how they’re feeling. Those conversations should take place regularly.”

Kohli was earlier rested from the New Zealand T20Is and the first Test in November following a long four-month stretch that began with the tour of England and ended with the T20 World Cup in October-November, with the second installment of the IPL in UAE thrown in between.