IPL 2019 News: Virat Kohli urges players to take smart decisions regarding workload

Kohli urges players to take smart decisions regarding workload: The Indian captain has put the responsibility on the players.

After former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India Coach Ravi Shastri, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, captain Virat Kohli has become the latest individual to share his opinion regarding Indian cricketers’ fitness during IPL 2019.

Kohli opened up on the elephant in the room in the workload of Indian players during IPL 2019. Having addressed the same issue during the pre-series press conference, the skipper was asked about it during the post-series press conference as well which also speaks highly about the potential concern which the two showpiece tournaments being played back-to-back brings for the players.

“The moment you enter the nets and create bad habits, you lose the momentum,” Kohli was quoted as saying in the earlier presser. Laying emphasis on “bad habits“, Kohli had largely spoken regarding playing needing to remain careful during the IPL.

Being asked about what the players were told before leaving in the dressing room, Kohli laid emphasis on enjoying the 12th season of the Indian Premier League.

“Exactly what we spoke in the end in the change room was: ‘just go and enjoy these two months in the IPL’. Don’t think of performance pressure or I have to do this or do that. I think we deserve to really just enjoy our cricket and just go out there and play because of the joy of playing the sport,” Kohli said.

Virat Kohli reflects on non-stop cricket

Following the ritual of playing cricket for almost the whole year, the Indian cricketers have another three-four months before they can even think of taking a breather. Highlighting the same, Kohli further laid importance on the Indian players deserving to just enjoy the T20 league.

“Being on the road for so many months does take a toll on you as a team. I’m not saying that’s an excuse because you’re expected to do that and be motivated to win every game you’re playing for the country.

“When you have a long season you can always reflect on it. I am not someone who ever takes this as an excuse. If I’m not up to play a game mentally or physically, I’ll inform the management before and I think everyone’s responsible enough to do that.

“It’s been a hectic season and we are proud of the season – happy with the way we’ve played, happy with the way guys have come around and shown their ability as players and confidence we’ve carried as a team. It’s really great to see. From that point of view, I think all of us just deserve to go to the IPL and just enjoy these two months,” Kohli added.

“The onus is on the player”

That being said, what is being termed as ‘enjoyment’ by Kohli, it has in it to cause niggles to some players. Therefore, managing workload is expected to be given utmost responsibility as the as the World Cup-bound Indian players are concerned.

Throwing the spotlight on the players, Kohli once again said on record that it is for them to be smart, work in balance and take smart decisions if they aim to play both the tournament to the best of their capacities.

“We’ve given the responsibility to the player to be smart and to inform the management of the franchise and be in touch with Patrick [Farhart], our physio. All the workload will be monitored during the World Cup – and given a window, the guys can afford to rest.

“I can guarantee that because a World Cup comes every four years and we play IPL every year. Not to say we won’t be committed to the IPL but we’ve got to be smart. We have to work in balance and take smart decisions.

“The responsibility and the onus is on the player. No-one will be forced to do something. Eventually everyone will know no-one wants to miss the World Cup and cost the team good balance,” the 30-year old cricketer concluded.

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The first match of IPL 2019 will be played between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 23 at Chennai.