India captain Virat Kohli is preparing himself for a “rigorous three years” of playing all three formats after which he might reassess his workload amid a “transition phase” setting in.
The world’s premier batsman is looking at the “bigger picture” in Indian cricket with two T20 and one 50-over World Cup in the next three years after which he might decide on playing two of the three formats.
“My mindset is on the bigger picture as I prepare myself for a rigorous three years from now and after that we might have a different conversation,” Kohli replied when asked if he is having second thoughts about quitting at least one format after the 2021 World T20 in India.
“It’s not a conversation you can hide away from in any manner. It is around eight years now that I have been playing 300 days a year, which includes travelling and practice sessions. And intensity is right up there all the time. It does take a toll on you,” the Indian captain was forthright in his reply.
The skipper understands his presence and peak performance is crucial till the 2023 World Cup after which he understands that the next phase of transition will set in.
“I can keep going on with the same intensity and also understand that the team wants a lot of my contribution in the next two to three years, so that I can ease into another transition that we faced five-six years ago,” he said referring to the retirements of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.