Kumar Sangakkara feels Virat Kohli’s workload needs to be managed for him to be at the top of his game whenever he plays for India.
Kohli has been rested for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, January 3. The Indian batting mainstay will be back in the mix for the three ODIs to be played against the same opponents a week later.
During an interaction on Sports Tak, Sangakkara was asked if he has seen any changes in Virat Kohli‘s cricket in the last few years as he doesn’t seem to be a threatening proposition to the bowlers anymore, to which he replied:
The former Sri Lankan skipper pointed out that the enormous pressure on Kohli every time he plays is expected to weigh him down, explaining:
Sangakkara highlighted that the benefits of the break ahead of the Asia Cup were evident in Kohli’s exploits at the T20 World Cup, elaborating:
Kohli was the highest run-getter at the T20 World Cup, with his 296 runs coming at an outstanding average of 98.67 and an impressive strike rate of 136.40. His unbeaten 82-run knock against Pakistan won India the game from a precarious position.
Sangakkara believes Virat Kohli still retains his mojo, saying:
The Rajasthan Royals head coach expects Kohli to counter any plans the bowlers might have for him, observing:
Kohli scored his maiden T20I hundred in the Asia Cup game against Afghanistan and ended his ODI century drought in the final game of the recent series against Bangladesh.
However, his underwhelming form in Test cricket is the biggest concern. He will hope to be at his best in the four-match series against Australia, considering its importance in India’s quest to qualify for the World Test Championship final.
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