An abysmal run of form only got worse for Virat Kohli after succumbing to his third golden duck of IPL 2022, with the extended lean patch making several wonder if it’s high time Kohli took a break from the game.

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Opening for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kohli clipped the very first ball from left-arm spinner J Suchith straight to Kane Williamson at short mid-wicket. It was this season’s third golden duck for IPL’s leading run-getter of all time, and the second of IPL 2022 against the Sunrisers, bringing his batting average down to 19.63 this edition. Before this year, Kohli had a combined three golden ducks in 14 seasons of the IPL.

So far, Kohli has managed 216 runs from 12 games this season, and while he scored a 58 against Gujarat Titans two games ago – his first IPL fifty in 15 innings – the sluggish manner of run-making did little to change the general perception that the former RCB skipper was out of form. The decline in run-making has been evident in international cricket as well, where Kohli hasn’t hit a century across formats in two and a half years.

With runs deserting him rather dramatically, and no immediate respite in sight, many have advocated for Kohli to take a brief sabbatical from the game. On Sunday, as soon as he was back to the pavilion at the Wankhede, social media was buzzing with discussions and debates around Kohli.

Some even proposed Kohli moving from the IPL to county cricket, and strengthening his game to get his groove back.