Virat Kohli let out of bio-bubble for mental health break

Former India skipper Virat Kohli has been given a bio-bubble break by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has been sent home before the third T20I against West Indies, news agency PTI reports. 

The report comes a day after Kohli scored a patient 52 against the Windies in the second T20I, helping India to win the match by eight runs and seal the series. 

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“Yes, Kohli has left home on Saturday morning as India have already won the series. As it has been decided by BCCI, it will be a policy to give all the regular all format players periodic breaks from the bubble to ensure that their workload management and mental health is taken care of,” a senior BCCI official privy to the development told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

The former skipper will also miss the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka beginning on February 24 in Lucknow followed by two more games at Dharamsala on February 26 and 27, PTI reported on Friday. 

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The Indian team for the Sri Lanka series will be picked later in the day.

Kohli had stepped down as India’s T20I captain after the World Cup last year citing workload management. 

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On Friday, he hit seven fours and a six to reach his half-century off 39 deliveries.

“I decided to be positive when I went in,” Kohli said. “Despite losing a few wickets, I wanted to continue in the same way. I was disappointed to get out because the game was set up nicely to go hard in the last few overs, which is my strength. I am happy that I went out with a clear intent today.”