The Indian skipper Virat Kohli has acknowledged the fact that heavy workload of playing cricket across three formats, is becoming a bit heavy for him on his body. The point can be summarized by the fact that the support of India’s batting has played 25 Tests, 42 ODIs and 27 T20Is alongside representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in a couple of IPLs since the start of 2016. It is also going to be a busy year ahead for Kohli and his men as the Indian team are set to tour England and Australia.

As a result of his heavy workload, the Indian selectors decided to rest him for the ongoing tri-series played in Sri Lanka. During the sidelines of a promotional event, Virat said, “Physically, I had a few niggles, I am just getting over those. The workload has started to disagree (taking a toll) with me a little bit. I have to be very careful about how I go forward with my body, my mind, my cricket.”

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He further added, “Times like these are very-very important going ahead. I am keeping a track of the games, I do not watch matches right now and feel like I want to be on the field because I have started to listen to my body. And when I am done with this period, obviously in the IPL I will be coming out fresh. I will be mentally in a better place on the field. I have been on the road for a long, long time. You need to pay respect to your body as well at times and this phase is very important to me,”

Kohli admires Roger Federer 

Kohli also pointed out the fact that the suitable break has been helping him to get ready for fresh challenges ahead. He said, “Times like these are important going ahead. I am enjoying it. I do not think I am missing out on anything because my body really needed this. I have started to listen to my body. And when I am done with this period, obviously in the IPL I will be coming out fresh.“

Talking about his energy on the field, Virat said, “I can sit and not move for hours. As much as energy I show on the field but when I get time at home, I can be a total vegetable. I can be very annoying because I do not move at all.”

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On a side note, Virat also relished the legendary tennis player, Roger Federer, for taking time out of the game last year (by missing the clay season) and adding two more majors to his already glittering collection of trophies.

Referring to Federer, Kohli said, “When he plays, it’s so beautiful. He has a family now, priorities set, he takes time out of the game without worrying about opinions and criticism of people and then he comes in and wins Grand Slams. At 36, he is defying all logic and that’s something I totally love. I hate following the norm and he is someone who is breaking barriers on a daily basis and I have huge respect for him.”