IND vs WI: Don’t Know If This Break Will Help Virat Kohli - Wasim Jaffer

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer expressed concern over Virat Kohli taking a break from India’s upcoming tour of the West Indies.

Kohli has been rested for the West Indies ODIs with other senior players Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah.

Kohli was not included in the T20I squad as India will play five T20I matches against West Indies just after the competition of the three-match ODI series. The senior player himself requested the BCCI to rest him for the West Indies T20Is.

Don’t know if this break will help Virat Kohli: Wasim Jaffer

Kohli is already seeing a tough phase in his career with the star Indian player struggling to score runs at his best and Jaffer believes the 33-year-old should have played the five T20Is in the Caribbean.

“Every innings is going to pile up pressure on him and probably put doubts in him as well. People keep reminding him.

“I am sure it adds up on him. If he had played those T20s, he would have been in touch. I don’t know if this break will help him. Next innings will be very crucial for him,” Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo.

Virat Kohli taking a break is the right thing: Ashley Giles

Former England spinner Ashley Giles, however, had a contrasting opinion to that of Jaffer. The 49-year-old said Kohli will get some time in a scheduled pack calendar year and hailed head coach Rahul Dravid for supporting the player.

“He’s clearly struggling right now. He’s taking a break from that West Indies series and I think it’s the right thing. The schedules currently are quite crazy for most teams in the world, particularly for India, and England. It’s good management. Rahul Dravid is a bright individual and you have got to look after your best players,” Giles said.

In the second ODI against England, Kohli scored 16 with three great drives for boundaries off Reece Totley before edging David Willey one behind the wickets.

India were bowled out for 146 to England’s 246 in the first innings and with the series levelled now, both teams move to Manchester to play the final game at Old Trafford on July 17.

Also Read: IND vs WI: Let’s Hope We See A Different Virat Kohli After The West Indies Tour – Ashish Nehra