Indian skipper Virat Kohli will be absent from the last three test matches against Australia at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The news was confirmed by the BCCI press release that said Kohli would be back in the country in time for his first child and Bollywood actress and wife Anushka Sharma.
“Mr Virat Kohli had informed BCCI of his plans to return to India after the first test in Adelaide. The BCCI has granted paternity leave to the Indian captain. He will return after the first test against Australia in Adelaide,” the statement BCCI press release read.
The news came as a welcome surprise to cricket fans who backed the athlete for prioritizing his family in the very personal development of his life.
Sharing the news, commentator Harsha Bhogle on Twitter praised the cricketer while arguing that the tour would get more difficult in Kohli’s absence.
“Well, well … this is great news. Kohli will return after the first test in Australia to be there for the birth of his son. For the modern gamer, there is more to life than just his profession. But for him Indian team, the tour has become more difficult. “
Well, well … this is great news. Kohli will return after the first test in Australia to be there for the birth of her son. For the modern gamer, life is more than just his profession. But for the Indian team, the tour became more difficult.
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 9, 2020
However, there was a section on social media that criticized the player for choosing his family over ‘national duty’, something Mahendra Singh Dhoni chose not to do in 2015 while leading India in a World Cup in Australia when his Sakshi wife was expecting her first child.
Ziva was born on February 6, 2015, two days before India’s last preparation match against Australia.
During the time of Ziva’s birth, the media asked Dhoni if she missed being in India during the birth of her daughter, to which she replied, “Not really.”
Dhoni added: “From now on I am in national functions, so I think everything else can wait. The World Cup is a very important campaign.”
Netizens on Twitter were quick to recall the same thing.
kabhi bolta hain country comes first aur kabhi imp tour chorke chaley jaate hai. Dad k guzar jane k baad Kohli scored 90 odd runs the next day … and many of those players did the same. I remember that Dhoni nvr said goodbye when Ziva was born.
– Santy (@Bungomacha) November 9, 2020
I just heard that Kohli will not participate in 3 out of 4 test matches against the Australians due to ‘paternity leave’. We will play without our best test hitter. Then we had dhoni who did not return to India during the 2015 toilet when ziva was born. Priorities matter. #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
– Varun Garg 🇮🇳 (@IamV_Garg) November 9, 2020
Although I respect Virat Kohli and her paternity leave is very genuine and she deserves it … And that is why MS Dhoni becomes more special because her first priority was her Nation when Ziva was born. It takes a lot of courage to become MS Dhoni. .. !!#AUSvIND
– Ashim Prakash (@apjpsinha) November 9, 2020
Nothing but national duty, once again Kohli proved that he is not a leader
– Sunil Kalyan (@sunilguts) November 9, 2020
Many of those who took to the microblogging site to support Kohli’s call did not miss the fact that taking paternity leave was a personal decision.
Why is Kohli questioned for taking paternity leave? There is no point in including what Dhoni said and comparing. It is a personal decision. Let him live his life as you happily live yours.
– Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) November 9, 2020
Kohli has every right to leave the test series Do not compare her with Dhoni It is her personal decision
– KAUSHIK PANDEY (@__ kaushik18) November 9, 2020
MS Dhoni retired in the middle of the series. Rohit Sharma missed the fourth test after the birth of her daughter. Virat Kohli takes paternity leave after the first test. MS Dhoni did not see her daughter before the World Cup. All of these are personal decisions and must be respected.
– Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 9, 2020
Cricketers around the world take parental leave, and it’s a matter of celebration. Here, it’s almost as if Kohli is being questioned for becoming a father. Another reason why the whole concept of paternity leave in India has not been implemented as we would have liked.
– Sarah Waris (@ swaris16) November 9, 2020
As a role model, Kohli’s decision to skip the biggest test series in cricket (and you know how much he enjoys the challenge of tests) for his paternity leave is very important in setting an example for Indian men. Plan that long paternity leave, your family deserves it!
– cricBC (@cricBC) November 9, 2020
Upon receiving a ton of replies on your tweet from Kohli, Bhogle wrote:
“So many reactions to Kohli’s decision were expected. Yes, the tour will become more difficult because he is a great player, but we have to respect his decision. Becoming a father is very special.”
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