With the 12th edition of Indian Premier League about to start in less than ten days time, Indian skipper Virat Kohli urges his players to smartly manage their workload in the upcoming season since it will be their responsibility to stay fit and fresh for the ICC World Cup.

With the popular T20 tournament ending just a few days before the World Cup, the cricket boards have been cautious about their top player's participation in the league, putting national duty above league commitments.

Kohli said it's not that he is asking the Indian players not to be committed to their IPL teams but to be smart and aware during the course of the tournament.

"All the workload will be monitored and given a window, the guys can afford to rest. The World Cup comes every four years and we play IPL every year," the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper said.

"Not to say we won't be committed to the IPL but we've got to be smart. We have to work in balance and make smart decisions.

"The responsibility and the onus is on the player. No one will be forced to do something. Eventually, no one wants to miss the World Cup and cost the team good balance," added Kohli.

The modern-day batting legend added that he is proud of India's achievements in the "hectic" season and would like his players to enjoy the IPL now.

"From that point of view, I think all of us just deserve to go to the IPL and just enjoy these two months and not think of performance pressure that I have to do this or that," he said.