IPL 2019: Kohli asks his men to take onus of managing workload

Kohli said it's not that he is asking the Indian players not to be committed to their IPL teams but to be smart and aware during the course of the tournament

Ahead of the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Team India captain Virat Kohli has urged to his teammates to smartly manage their workload during the tournament. He stated that it will be their responsibility to stay fit and fresh for the upcoming ICC World Cup, scheduled to begin from May 30.

The IPL season 12 kickstarts from March 23 and culminate days before the ICC mega event. Many cricket boards have been cautious in releasing their players for their respective IPL franchises, putting national duty above league commitments.

Kohli said it's not that he is asking the Indian players not to be committed to their IPL teams but to be smart and aware during the course of the tournament.

“All the workload will be monitored and given a window, the guys can afford to rest. The World Cup comes every four years and we play IPL every year,” said Kohli after India lost the decisive fifth ODI by 35 runs on Wednesday to concede the series 2-3 to Australia.

“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 make smart decisions. The responsibility and the onus are on the player. No one will be forced to do something. Eventually, no one wants to miss the World Cup and cost the team good balance,” added Kohli.

On Wednesday, India lost its first ODI series since 2015 and will go into the World Cup after losing three straight matches but Kohli said it was not something that is bothering the team management.

“None of the guys in the change room are panicking. The support staff is not feeling down after this defeat because we knew things we wanted to do in these last three games,” Kohli said.

Kohli asserted that India is pretty sure about its playing XI, going into the showpiece ICC event.

“As a side, combination wise, we are pretty sorted. Hardik Pandya will come back to the team. With him, there's batting depth, and bowling option opens up. We know where we have to go as a combination. The XI is clear in our head. We just have to take better decisions in pressure situations to go far in the World Cup,” said Kohli.