Ricky Ponting, the former captain of Australia, has advised Virat Kohli to consider taking a break from cricket in order to rediscover his intensity and passion for the game. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli accumulated only 190 runs across five Tests, averaging 23.75. His difficulties in handling deliveries outside the off stump reached a peak, as he was dismissed caught behind eight times in nine innings, remaining not out in one of those.

Ponting noted that Kohli's excessive effort may be counterproductive. The former captain expressed his disappointment after Kohli edged a delivery to the slips during India's second innings in the final Test in Sydney.

"The challenge is evident with Virat; you can see how much he desires success. His intense effort is actually complicating his batting. Often, the more one strives in batting, the less successful one becomes," Ponting remarked to ICC.

Drawing from his own experiences, the multiple-time World Cup champion encouraged Kohli to adopt a more relaxed approach.

"I found myself focusing more on avoiding dismissal rather than on scoring runs, which may seem odd, but that was my reality. I aimed for perfection, striving to set the right example and play in a manner that my team required at all times. However, during my best performances, I simply concentrated on scoring runs. I can observe a similar situation with Virat now. The manner in which he is getting out indicates that he is reluctant to play at those deliveries; he is attempting to avoid it, yet there appears to be a mental barrier prompting him to reach for balls outside the off stump," the legendary cricketer concluded.

A break can help Kohli: Ponting

Kohli took a 42-day hiatus following the England tour in 2022, during which he revealed that he had not picked up a bat for 30 days, marking the first instance in his career. Ponting remarked that Kohli could benefit from a similar break, as the weight of expectations and ongoing disappointments are hindering his ability to play with freedom.

"A break could be beneficial for the Indian icon," Ponting stated. "He previously experienced a mental break where he distanced himself from the game and subsequently returned with renewed passion. Currently, it appears that his genuine love for the sport is lacking, as he is complicating his enjoyment of it. If he wishes to continue participating in Test cricket, he may need to take some time off to rediscover his passion for the game."

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