IPL 2019 | Virat Kohli tasks players to manage their workload themselves

03/14/2019

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Virat Kohli has stated that the players are smart and responsible enough to manage their workload in the two month long schedule of the upcoming Indian Premier League. However, he was quick to mention that during the World Cup, the players’ workload will be supervised by the management.

India have played non-stop cricket in the past one year on their road to the World Cup. And after BCCI informed that they couldn't ask the franchisees to rest their players for the World Cup, a lot of questions have been raised as to how will the teams manage their players' workload with the IPL scheduled right before the mega tournament.

The Indian skipper, however, has revealed that each and every World Cup probables have been given the responsibility to be aware of how much could they push themselves during the IPL.

"We've given the responsibility to the player to be smart and to inform the management of the franchise and be in touch with Patrick , our physio,” Kohli said, as reported by TOI.

Emphasizing the four-yearly World Cup importance over the IPL, Kohli mentioned that while the players will put in their full commitment when on the field, they would talk to their respective franchises and take a break whenever possible.

"All the workload will be monitored during the World Cup - and given a window, the guys can afford to rest. I can guarantee that because a World Cup comes every four years and we play IPL every year. Not to say we won't be committed to the IPL but we've got to be smart. We have to work in balance and take smart decisions. The responsibility and the onus is on the player. No-one will be forced to do something. Eventually, everyone will know no-one wants to miss the World Cup and cost the team good balance."

The captain also candidly shared his words from the dressing room after their final assignment before they regrouped for the World Cup.

"Exactly what we spoke in the end in the change room was: 'just go and enjoy these two months in the IPL. Don't think of performance pressure or I have to do this or do that. I think we deserve to really just enjoy our cricket and just go out there and play because of the joy of playing the sport’,” he shared.

The Indian team had registered a historic Test series win in Australia and had carried on with their dominating performance in the limited over series’ against Australia and New Zealand, before finally losing against Australia at home. The top-rated batsmen credited his team for putting in their whole-hearted effort in this season.

"It's been a hectic season and we are proud of the season - happy with the way we've played, happy with the way guys have come around and shown their ability as players and confidence we've carried as a team. It's really great to see. From that point of view, I think all of us just deserve to go to the IPL and just enjoy these two months," he affirmed.

The IPL is slated to begin on March 23, and is expected to go on till the second week of May, with the dates of the finals yet to be decided. The World Cup in England and Wales will begin from May 30, however, India will play their first warm-up match against New Zealand on May 25.

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