India captain Virat Kohli said a heavy workload across all three formats has started to put a strain on his body.

The 29-year-old has featured in 25 Tests, 42 ODIs and 27 T20Is, apart from representing his IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore, since the beginning of 2016.

Keeping India’s tour of England and Australia later this year in mind, the selection panel had decided to give Kohli rest for the ongoing Nidahas Trophy being played between India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“Physically, I had a few niggles, I am just getting over those. The workload has started to disagree with me a little bit. I have to be very careful about how I go forward with my body, my mind, my cricket,” Kohli said at a promotional event in Mumbai.

Kohli said breaks are very important as they allow him to remain fresh for major assignments.

“Times like these are very important going ahead. I am totally enjoying it. My body really needed this. Although I am keeping a track of the games, I do not watch matches right now and feel like I want to be on the field because I have started to listen to my body.

“And when I am done with this period, obviously in the IPL I will be coming out fresh. I will be mentally in a better place on the field. I have been on the road for a long, long time. I have hardly missed any games. You need to pay respect to your body as well at times and this phase is very important to me,” Kohli added.