"Go Sit On A Beach": Ex-England Captain Says Virat Kohli "Needs A Sabbatical"

08.07.2022 - 09:13 sports.ndtv.com

Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels out-of-form India batter Virat Kohli should take "three months break" from cricket, and spend some time with his family.

Kohli, who has not scored a century in nearly three years, managed scores of 11 and 20 in the recently-concluded fifth Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Highlighting Kohli's poor returns with the bat of late, Vaughan said that the 33-year-old batter needs a sabbatical from cricket, which will help him re-invent himself. "I look at Virat in particular.

I knew he had a little bit of a rest at the end of the IPL. But he just looks to me like he needs a sabbatical. He looks like he needs three months away from cricket.

cricket 2022 on Michael Vaughan Virat Kohli India Birmingham

Virat Kohli's current form is a hot topic of discussion. Not only has the former Indian cricket team captain failed to score a ton since 2019, his current form also fails to inspire confidence. He had a forgettable recent Tour of England too, where he could not score big in any of the three formats. Kohli is not part of the ODI and T20I squad for the Tour of West Indies. There has been no official communication about whether he has been dropped or rested. However, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes that Kohli can only get back to form if he plays.

Why Virat Kohli "Needs To Take Complete Off From Cricket", Ex-Pakistan Star Explains

Virat Kohli's poor batting form continues as the player is yet to play any noticeable knock in India's ongoing tour to England. The right-handed batter was a part of the playing XI in the fifth and rescheduled Test match in which he scored 11 and 20. Kohli was then rested from the first T20I against England before making a return to the team only to score 1 and 11 in the remaining two matches. Kohli also missed the first ODI against England due to a groin strain before returning to the team for the second ODI. He was dismissed for a 25-ball 16 in the game.

Star India batter Virat Kohli is going through a rough patch with the bat. He has not been able to score big in recent time and he last scored a century back in 2019. Kohli was dismissed on 16 off 25 deliveries in the second ODI against England. Kohli's form has been concern for the Indian team, and some experts have opined that the former India skipper needs to spend some time with his family and take break from cricket. The 33-year-old has struggled against length deliveries outside-off too. While pointing out that technology has changed how the sport is played nowadays, Kohli, in some ways, is "similar to Javed Miandad" as both haven't relied too much on data, according to former Pakistan cricket team captain Rashid Latif.

Virat Kohli "Should Have Responded By Now": Ex-Pakistan Captain On Babar Azam's Tweet

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won a lot of praise after he tweeted in support of Virat Kohli, saying "this too shall pass". Kohli has been going through a slump in form and he has failed to get going in the ongoing series against England. In the second ODI at Lord's, the right-handed batter edged a delivery well outside off-stump and hence he lost his wicket. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has also given his take on Babar supporting Kohli, saying the latter should have responded by now.

"Class Act": Former England Captain Lauds Babar Azam For Tweet Supporting Virat Kohli

Former England captain Michael Vaughan joined a growing chorus of cricketers past and present and fans, who are appreciating Pakistan captain Babar Azam for his great gesture towards former India captain Virat Kohli. Late on Thursday night Babar tweeted, "This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli" after the former India captain failed to get a big score yet again, as he was dismissed for 16 in the second ODI against England at Lord's as India succumbed to a 100-run loss.

"Lured Us Into Believing...": Aakash Chopra On Virat Kohli's Innings In 2nd England ODI

In the second ODI at Lord's, Virat Kohli began his innings in stylish fashion, hitting three beautiful drives off England's best bowler on the day, Reece Topley. However, he flattered to deceive as David Willey had him nicking behind for 16 as England went on to eventually thrash the visitors by 100 runs to level the series 1-1. The match saw Kohli's lean streak continue and former India batter Aakash Chopra rued the fact that it looked like Kohli was set for a big knock, but fell flat in the end.