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.

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.

It’s absolutely clear that Virat Kohli is struggling. It’s not just a normal lean-patch. It’s a much bigger problem that he needs to address, purely as a cricketer, and not as a superstar. He needs to go back to the drawing board, away from the 22 yards. #RCBvsSRH

— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) May 8, 2022

Just take a break and chill. I mean nothing wrong in doing a self-assessment. Get ready for WC

— Haricharan Pudipeddi (@pudiharicharan) May 8, 2022

Virat Kohli should take a break, enough is enough

— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) May 8, 2022

Virat Kohli needs to address the elephant in the room with a sense of urgency.

Just take a break, rejuvenate, come back. Nothing wrong in taking a holiday. Every professional needs one.

He needs a hand on the shoulder and right now, that responsibility lies with RCB.

— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) May 8, 2022

#Kohli is killing himself here. Needs to take a break. A long one. Decide if this is still what he wants. Right now, he is a busted flush. #RCBvSRH

— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) May 8, 2022

RCB should drop Virat Kohli for a few games. It’s a team-game and no individual can ever be bigger than the team. #RCBvsSRH

— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) May 8, 2022

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

Virat Kohli shud play county cricket like Pujara to get back his form and refine his rhythm.

This IPL exposure isnt helping his bad form much..

— Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania) May 8, 2022

Virat Kohli must move to county championship inorder to mentally relax and revive scores from his bat. Virat Kohli wanting to bring back form through playing Indian Premier League is damn wrong move. When was last time IPL praised for quality? IPL is only meant for money!#IPL2022

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) May 8, 2022

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