‘Kohli needs to take short break’

Former wicketkeeper Brad Haddin feels feisty India captain Virat Kohli needs to take a break from cricket to reflect on his batting and leadership style after the bitterly-fought Test series against Australia.

With Kohli's participation in doubt for the start of the upcoming Indian Premier League, starting April 5, Haddin said the he needs a short break to introspect on what transpired during the intense series which India won 21.

"By all accounts Virat Kohli is going to miss the early games of the IPL with his shoulder problem. Based on the sour note with which he ended a tremendous Test series victory for India over a fighting Australia, that may well be a good thing," Haddin wrote in his column for 'ESPNcricinfo.com'.

"At the end of this long and successful home season, I get the distinct impression that Kohli needs some time to think about how he goes about things as a batsman and a captain.

"Time away from playing might help Kohli to reach a fairer viewpoint on what has transpired over the past six weeks: a terrific battle in which the Australians genuinely challenged India, and gave Kohli the toughest time of his international career to date," he said.

Haddin was also impressed by the calm and composed demeanour of stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who led India in the series-deciding fourth and final Test in Dharamsala after Kohli missed the game due to a shoulder injury.