India’s tour of Australia: Virat Kohli will be missed, but he made the right paternity move, says Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri backs Virat Kohli’s paternity leave. He says Virat has made the right decision to fly back for the birth of his child. He needs to be there as it is essential for him and his family.
Indian coach Ravi Shastri says Virat has made the right decision to stay with his family for his child’s birth. No doubt, the side will miss him against the remaining test matches against Australia. Virat Kohli will fly back to India after 1st test match, and he has been granted paternity leave by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for three test matches, as a result, he will be seen in action in the opening test match against in Australia.
“I think it’s the right decision he’s taking. These moments don’t come time and time again. He has the opportunity, he’s going back, and I think he’ll be happier for that,”
Shastri told ABC Sport.
“If you see where India has gone in the last five-six years, there’s no doubt in absolutely anyone’s mind that he’s the driving force and the man behind it (India’s success). So he obviously would be missed. But like I say, in adversity comes opportunity. There are a lot of young guys in the side, and it’s an opportunity for them,”
he added.
India and Australia are ready to play three ODI’s, three T20s, and four test matches. The tour starts on 27th November with the ODI matches.
The first test is played in Adelaide Oval, starting from December 17. It is a day-night contest between both the opponents. The four test match series will be included in World Test Championship.
Before Ravi Shastri, the Australian coach Justin Langer and the former Indian batsman, VVS Laxman had also lauded the decision of Virat Kohli to fly back after the first test against Australia for the birth of his first child.
Langer said that Kohli is a human being at the end of the day, and everyone can understand his situation.
“He’s a human being like all of us. If I were advising any of my players, I would always say never, ever miss the birth of your children because it is one of the great things you’ll ever do,”
said Justin Langer.
VVS Laxman has also backed Virat Kohli’s decision of returning to India, and he said one must respect his decision as a human being. He said:
“I believe you have to respect that. Ultimately, you are a professional cricketer, but you are also a family man, and you also respect what is good for your family. So, I believe we have to respect that decision. It is a critical phase of your life,”
while talking to IANS.
Laxman can feel the courage of his decision as he had also missed his first child’s birth when India was touring South Africa in 2006-2007. A few years later, he missed few Ranji Trophy matches to be with his wife for their second child’s birth.
MS Dhoni also missed the birth of his only daughter, Ziva Dhoni as he was preparing in Australia for ICC WC 2015. Rajdeep Sardesai reveals in his book Democracy X1 that Dhoni was not carrying a phone before his child’s birth. His wife Sakshi Dhoni delivered the SMS to him through Suresh Raina.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma will also miss the limited-overs series to nurse his hamstring injury. He will be joining his team in the test matches.