IPL 2022 | Virat Kohli: I will talk to Rahul Dravid about taking a break

Virat Kohli showcased his best outing in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 in Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) final league game against Gujarat Titans (GT). The former India skipper battered the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, and Lockie Ferguson in his innings of 73 off 54 deliveries, which helped his side win quite comfortably in the end by eight wickets.

It has not been an easy season for the right-handed batter, who used to churn out hundreds like it was a piece of cake. However, he has ended the league phase after scoring 309 runs at an average of 23.76. Speaking about his dull patch, Kohli compared his current form to his form against the English side during India's tour of England in 2014.

"What happened in England was a pattern so something that I could work on, something that I had to overcome. Right now, there's nothing that you can point out saying there's a problem here. So that for me is an easier thing to process because I know that I'm batting well and at times when I start feeling that rhythm is back then I know I'm batting well, which wasn't the case in England (where) I didn't feel like I was batting well at all. So I had to work hard on one thing that I could be exposed to again and again which I overcame," Kohli told official broadcasters.

Former players have had mixed views on why Kohli has been going through this dip in form since 2020, having scored his last century way back in 2019. Sunil Gavaskar called it a 'lack of luck', while Ravi Shastri mentioned a small break from cricket is needed for the swashbuckling player to regain his form.

Kohli further endorsed Shastri's views on taking a break and is open to talking about the same with Indian team management and head coach Rahul Dravid in the coming days.

"So to take a break and when to take a break is obviously something that I need to take a call on, but it is only a healthy decision for anyone to take some time off and just rejuvenate yourself mentally and physically. It's only a matter of creating a balance and finding that balance which is right for you as an individual moving forward and I will definitely discuss this with all the people involved – Rahul bhai, the Indian team management – everyone to chart out whatever is best for myself and for the team definitely."

With India set to meet South Africa for a 5-T20Is series at home, it will be interesting to see whether the selection committee chaired by Chetan Sharma opts to go with experiments or plays it safe and keep the experienced guys around.