Virat Kohli states long bio-bubble duration can be ‘mentally taxing’ on international tours

Virat Kohli has been in a bio-bubble for over 70 days ever since Royal Challengers Bangalore arrived in the UAE to prepare for the Indian Premier League. The bio-bubble has been created in order to prevent minimum interaction with the outside world in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Royal Challengers Bangalore have reached the Eliminator of IPL 2020 and if they manage to reach the final, the entire team would have been in the bio-bubble for close to 80 days. However, immediately after the end of the IPL, Virat Kohli and the entire Indian cricket team will embark on a two-month tour of Australia which will include three ODIs, three T20Is and four Tests.

Speaking to RCB TV, Virat Kohli said the mental stress living in the bio-bubble is real and that in the future, tours must be considered depending upon the number of days the players spend in the bio-bubble. “These things will have to be considered. Like, what length of the tournament or series one is going to play, and what impact it will have on players mentally, to stay in a similar environment for 80 days and not getting to do anything different."

Kohli said he and his RCB team mates enjoyed the time together in the bubble but conceded that repetitiveness was an issue. "At the end of the day, you want the players to be in the best state mentally and physically. Mentally it can be taxing if this continues for this long a period,” Kohli said.

International cricket resumes

The coronavirus pandemic had stalled all sporting activities, including cricket the world over since March. The IPL 2020 was initially postponed from April to September due to the pandemic that was surging in India. International cricket resumed in July when West Indies toured England for three Tests followed by tours by Pakistan and Australia. The matches were held in bio-secure venues that had strict protocols for players and punishments for violating the COVID-19 protocols.

This will be the first major men’s tour to Australia. The White Ferns toured Australia for three ODIs and three T20Is at the bio-secure venue in Allan Border Field, Brisbane in September and October. India will begin their series in Sydney as the quarantine rules meant they could practice and be in isolation. Melbourne, which was the worst-affected by the coronavirus and was in lockdown for close to 4-5 months, was finally declared open and will host the Boxing Day Test on December 26.