Virat Kohli reveals he is suffering from back ‘niggles’ since 2011
New Delhi,Jan 2:
India’s batting maestro and skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday revealed that he has been suffering from back “niggles” since 2011. The 30-year-old stylish Indian captain also played down fears that recurring back spasms could hinder his stellar career.
Kohli also insisted that all players get “niggles” and they were “nothing new”. On the second Day of the third Test, which India won by 137 runs, Kohli received treatment from the physio.
Kohli looked a lot in pain just before he was out for 82 in the first innings.
Earlier, during India’s tour to England, Kohli was forced off the field during the second Test match of five-match Test series that English team won by 4-1.
Speaking about his back issues, Kohli, who is widely considered as the best batsman of this generation, said it wasn’t a major concern.
“I’ve had this issue since 2011, it’s nothing new,” Kohli was quoted as saying in Sydney ahead of the fourth and final Test against Australia.
“I’ve been able to manage it because of the physical effort I’ve put in over the past few years. And when you have a back that has these issues you can only maintain it that way,” Kohli added.
The Delhi batsman also admitted that he is obsessed with winning cricket matches.
“If the workload gets high it can get into a spasm, I mean you don’t necessarily get serious issues, you get fine in two or three days,” the right-handed batsman said.
“I’m not too concerned with it, you just have to manage it physically and stay ahead of the injury and I have been able to do it for now,” Kohli insisted. “I’m sure I’ll find other ways and more options to keep countering that.”
“I mean, it’s impossible to keep going without niggles and I think it’s fine to have a few niggles here and there. You just need to be able to manage it,” Kohli concluded.
Virat Kohli has been India’s star performer in the recent year in all formats of the game. He has played 76 Test and more than 200 one-day internationals.