Next Time We Will Also Ask For 25-Day Break: Virat Kohli
Jan 9, 2019 at 4:12 PM
The Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli was quite amused with the one week gap between the third and fourth Test match as he said that this break is something which has helped them and has facilitated them with an opportunity to take rest in midst of the long series as he said, “We did not ask for the gap. It was part of the schedule, so we make sure when we go there (England) that we have eight days’ gap after three Tests, and a 25-day gap between One- Day and Test series.
“With a long season ahead, it (break) did us no harm. It actually helped us rest a bit, reflect on what we have done in the two games that we have won and just visualise again and come back even more fresh compared to last two Test matches,
“It was a good thing that happened and we certainly benefitted from it,” Kohli said.
“It is much needed, because when you go home in the break, honestly between the series, you cannot switch off because there is this thing in the mind you keep visualising in the day what to do in the match,
“As a captain, you ponder on what combinations to play, how will be the wicket, but not too much. It is also necessary that you move away from your profession and enjoy life and this is a very important thing,” The Test skipper added.
On being asked whether the players turn lethargic after a break of such a long period, Kohli said, “At this level, everyone is a professional cricketer, they understand this thing very well. So when they came back (to Mumbai), they were looking forward to the practice. That is a necessary thing, this can only happen when one comes back mentally refreshed and then you are again excited to practise those skills. I think as I have said this a good that, that we got a few days break”.
Kohli further talked about the 25 days break between the Test and the ODI series and also said that the next time Indian team visits England, they will also ask for 25 days break between the Test and the ODIs so as to get some off time from work and get back strongly, “Absolutely, or we should come back for a month as well from England. No point we play there for three and half months and everything we do is in the media’s eyes, even our off time is scanned.
“I don’t have any news of them enjoying their holiday in Dubai at all. I would like to see the same thing happen, either they stay the whole tour or we come back for 25 days as well.”
Th third Test match at Mohali ended on November 29 giving both the teams and off time of nearly eight days. The England players went for a trip to U.A.E. to spend some time off whereas Indian players attended Yuvraj Singh’s pre-wedding function and then went to their home for the break. Indian players were asked to report at Wankhede stadium on December 5, three days prior to the start of the fourth Test.
The fourth and the penultimate Test match starts from December 8 2016 with Ithe ndian team looking to seal the series here, on the other hand, England team will try to come back from behind and upset India, which looks a bit of blur event at current scenario.