Pull out of IPL, for all you care: Shastri to Kohli

New Delhi, April 27: For the second time in a week, former India coach Ravi Shastri has advised the out-of-form Virat Kohli to take a break, even if it meant “pulling out of the IPL, for all you care” to prolong his international career.
Batting maestro Kohli has been battling one of his worst phases in a hugely successful career, having failed to score a hundred in any format for more than three years now.
“I think a break is ideal for him because he has played non-stop cricket and he has captained the side across all formats. It will be wise of him to take a break.
“You know, sometimes you have to draw the balance. This year he is already into the tournament (IPL 2022), tomorrow if push comes to shove and you want to prolong your international career and make a mark there for 6-7 years, pull out of the IPL, for all you care,” Shastri told Star Sports presenter Jatin Sapru on his YouTube channel.
Kohli was promoted to the top of the order against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday after back-to-back ducks but the move did not yield a desired result as the former India captain was out for nine.
Shastri emphasised on the importance of a break in a player’s career at a time when the calendar is crammed. “Not only Virat, I’ll tell that to any other player. If you want to play and do well for India, you have to draw the line where you want to take that break and the ideal break would be off-season where India is not playing and the only time India does not play is the IPL,” Shastri said. (PTI)