Australian hitter Steve Smith has endorsed Indian captain Virat Kohli’s decision to return home for the birth of his first child. The former captain suggested that Virat Kohli’s absence would be a major fault for tourists in the last three Trials but also mentioned that the Indian skipper also lives a life off the cricket ground.
Kohli will lead the Indian team in the first test that begins on December 17 in Adelaide. It will be India’s first pink ball test on Australian soil. After the conclusion of the game, the Indian captain will return home on paternity leave.
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Kohli will be with his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, as the couple expect their first child in January 2021.
“Without a doubt, it is a great loss for India. Virat is a world class player. I think you have to give him some credit, we all know how much he loves to play in Australia. But he is also a human being. He has a life outside of cricket, a family that is just starting out, ”Smith told reporters Thursday.
“We give him credit for wanting to be there for the birth of his first child. We know how much he loves to play in Australia, how good it is, but like I said, credit must go to him for wanting to be there, “he added.
Kohli’s unavailability has already become a big point of contention in the Australian cricket fraternity. In all likelihood, Vice-Captain Ajinkya Rahane will have the responsibility to lead the team and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Rahane recently hit form with a hundred well done against Australia A in the three-day practice game in Sydney earlier this week.
Smith also noted that Ishant Sharma’s absence would be of great concern to the Indian team on tour. The veteran Indian sprinter was ruled out of the test series after suffering lateral strain while playing for Delhi Capitals at IPL 2020.
“Ishant Sharma is probably a big loss for them at first if he is not available… He has obviously played a lot of cricket. Perhaps without him, he may not be the strongest. I’m sure they’d like me to play, ”Smith said.
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