It’s difficult for players to stay motivated: Virat Kohli stresses on mental well being of players

India skipper Virat Kohli, who has never been shy of speaking about the well being of his fellow teammates has once again stressed the importance of switching off from the game. He has argued that this helps them to keep the motivation levels going. Kohli, who was speaking at a press meet before the team’s departure to England for a three-month sojourn said that the mental well being of players needs to become a norm much like physical fitness. 

"You don't have an outlet at all in today's day and age. You're literally going to the ground and coming back to the room, and you don't have space where you can just disconnect from the game and go out for a walk or a meal and a coffee and say, 'Let me refresh myself. Let me just get away from the game a little bit.’,” he said. 

“I think this is a huge factor, which should not be neglected. Because as much hard work as we've done to create this team, you don't want players falling out because of mental pressures and not having the capacity or space to express themselves," Kohli added. 

The Indian skipper also shed light on the competitiveness as well as the business of the schedule which is forcing players to stay in the game all the time and which in turn is affecting their game. "The kind of structure we're competing inside, for a long period of time it's difficult for players to stay motivated and find the right kind of mental space in one area and just do this stuff day in and day out, and [then] dealing with high-pressure situations," he said.

Although BCCI is yet to appoint any psychologist with the team, the captain believes that having an expert on the side will become a norm soon. "So this will definitely become a norm of the future, where apart from the workloads, the mental health side of things will also come into the picture big-time,” the 32-year-old said. 

The Indian team has been freed from bubble restrictions for the rest of their English tour after the World Test Championship. They would instead be living in environment-friendly conditions and can go out and visit the places they want to. Kohli feels that it is a welcome step. 

“I think it's absolutely fine. It'll give us time to regroup as a side and prepare again for a long series. That kind of setup is very important before you go into a lengthy series. We know that playing five Tests in England can be very challenging and daunting,” he said. 

The Indian team will first play the WTC Final against New Zealand at Southampton starting June 18. Then, after almost a 40-day break, start off their five-match Test series against England with the first Test on August 4.