Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes the struggling Virat Kohli needs a break from the game, which could help the 33-year-old come back stronger for the “six-seven years of cricket” still left in him.

Under skipper Faf du Plessis, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have fared quite well so far in IPL 2022. After Tuesday’s game, they are the second-placed team in the standings with 10 points. But one major cause for concern appears to be Kohli’s current form, which could well hurt the franchise going forward.

In seven matches this season, Kohli is yet to get a half-century with 48 being his highest score. Aggregating 119 runs, his average has been a mediocre 19.83 with the strike rate (123.95) not too impressive either.

His manner of dismissals too have been quite unlike him — especially on Tuesday against the Lucknow Super Giants, where he gave catching practice to the fielder at point off an innocuous Dushmantha Chameera delivery.

“Virat is overcooked. If anyone needs a break, it’s him," Shastri told Star Sports on Tuesday.

“Whether it’s two months or a month-and-a-half, whether it’s after the England tour (in July) or before, he needs a break because he has got six-seven years of cricket left in him and you don’t want to lose that with a fried brain.”

The situation has to be dealt with very carefully because of the players’ need to abide by the bio-bubble restrictions owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, Shastri emphasised.

Even former England captain Kevin Pietersen echoed Shastri, offering the former India and RCB captain a piece of advice.

“The guy (Kohli) has had so much to deal with, from marriage to baby to media scrutiny and all on his personal life.

“He’s the biggest star on show. Virat needs to say, ‘Cricket boots, for six months, I will see you later’,” Pietersen said.