KOHLI: I'M NOT A ROBOT... CUT MY SKIN AND I BLEED

India's captain has suggested he will need a break after an intense year of international cricket

Virat Kohli has admitted he will need a break from the rigours of international cricket at some point, saying "I am not a robot".

The India captain has been incredibly active during 2017, representing his country in seven Test matches, 26 one-day internationals and 10 T20Is as well as turning out for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 10 IPL encounters.

That makes for a substantial workload and Kohli, just like the rest of us, is prone to getting worn down.

Ahead of India's Test series against Sri Lanka, therefore, the skipper has made it clear that he won't be able to go on forever - given international cricket's hectic schedule - without taking a breather.

And when that time comes, he will make it clear to the selectors that he needs to rest.

^{Virat Kohli has played seven Tests, 26 ODIs and 10 T20Is this year}

"There's a lot of talk about whether players should be rested or not," he said.

"From the outside it looks like 'why are people asking for rest, everyone played same number of games' but it's important to understand that not everyone had the same kind of workload in every game that you play.

"We have built such a strong core team now of 20-25 players, you don't want important players breaking down at important times.

"That is where the balance needs to be maintained. It's humanly impossible to maintain the same kind of intensity for a player who plays all three formats.

"Definitely, I do need a rest. When I think that my body needs to be rested, I'll ask for it. I am not a robot you can cut my skin and check, I bleed."

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