IPL 2020: Virat Kohli Speaks On The Mental Health Concerns From Living In The Bio-Bubble

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, Virat Kohli has spoken about the mental health issues regarding life in bio-bubble. Kohli opines that the length of the tournament should be taken into account as it gets difficult to spend a long time in the bubble.

Several cricketers have talked about the mental fatigue they suffer from living in the bubble. English cricketers, who participated in the home series against West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland, and Australia have emphasised about the monotonicity of living and playing in such a situation.

Earlier, Sophie Ecclestone, spinner of England’s women’s team had pulled out of the Women’s Big Bash League regarding the concerns over mental fatigue caused by the bio-bubble.

It does get difficult at times because it is repetitive: Virat Kohli

Recently, Virat Kohli talked about his experience of living in the bio-bubble and gave his views on future programs. Kohli said that his team had enjoyed together, which eases out the tension. However, he feels that it becomes difficult at times because it is repetitive.

The Bangalore skipper believes that factors like the length of the series should be considered and the impact it will have on the players mentally. He asserted that living in the same environment for 80 days is a challenging task. The Indian captain has spent two months in the bubble during the IPL and will head to Australia for a full-fledged tour.

Virat Kohli said in RCB TV, “It’s repetitive, it’s not as tough when the group of guys is amazing, which we have. Everyone part of that bio-bubble is really nice, the vibe has been so good. That’s precisely why we’ve enjoyed playing together, just enjoyed our time in the bubble as well, but it does get difficult at times because it is repetitive.

“These things will have to be considered. Like what length of the tournament or series one is going to play and what impact it will have on players mentally to stay in a similar environment for 80 days and not do anything different. Or have space to just go and see family or small things like that.”

The 32-year-old Kohli said that these things should be taken seriously as we want the players to be in the best mental health. He thinks conversations regarding mental health should take place regularly.

“These things have to be thought about seriously. At the end of the day, you want the players to be in the best state mentally, based on how they’re feeling. Those conversations should take place regularly,” Virat Kohli added.

Kohli will lead RCB in the Eliminator on Friday against Hyderabad in Abu Dhabi. RCB are on a four-match losing streak. The right-hander has scored huge runs in the league stage – 460 runs at 46 – however, his strike rate of 122 is concerning.

Also Read: IPL 2020, Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – Match Prediction