India skipper Virat Kohli feels rotation policy is the way forward in the age of bio-bubbles as mental fatigue caused by restrictive quarantines will make it extremely difficult for players to stay hungry.
England have been following a rotation policy in their ongoing tour of India, something that has drawn criticism from legends such as Kevin Pietersen.
Most players have been insecure bubbles, with only small breaks since last August. From September until January, India’s players went through the Indian Premier League and a tour of Australia.
With India headed into three one-day internationals against England starting on Tuesday after winning a gruelling Test series 3-1 and Twenty20 series 3-2, Kohli said more attention must be paid to cricketers’ mental health.
“The players need to be spoken to and consulted with all-round,” said Kohli.
“Otherwise it’s going to be a case of whoever can last through difficult times like this plays, if not then move away and someone else replaces that player.”
He added, “I don’t think that’s healthy for a cricket system and cricket culture moving forward which we want to make stronger and stronger.”
Responding to suggestions that the 50-over games were out of place in a year dominated by the World Test Championship final and the T20 World Cup, Kohli said the tournament schedule “is something that is not in our control.”
“I think it’s very important to consider how much cricket you are playing. It’s not just the physical side of thing but the mental side of things as well,” said Kohli.
“Scheduling and workloads is something that everyone will have to be very aware of,” he added. “Especially in today’s day and age where you just don’t know where restrictions might come in.”
Virat Kohli Speaks About The Solid Bench Strength Of Indian Team.
“Our bench strength becomes way more important because if you have guys hungry, ready, who understand where the game is heading and are brave enough to take on opportunities then you can rotate very easily.
“There are eleven more guys who are ready to win a Test match for India, or One-day or T20 and that is exactly what we are striving towards, we have a clear road-map as to where we need to go in the next four-five years so that our transition is not difficult at all,” he said.
