The mystery surrounding Virat Kohli’s absence from the initial two Test matches against England has been resolved, with his close friend and former South African skipper, AB de Villiers, revealing that Kohli and his wife, Anushka Sharma, are expecting their second child. This disclosure has sparked discussions about whether Kohli will return for the remaining Tests after opting out of the matches in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam just three days before the opening Test against England.
Reports indicate that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, plans to discuss Kohli’s future plans with him at the earliest. Agarkar and other senior officials from the board aim to have a conversation with the 35-year-old, who is currently overseas, to gain clarity on his situation and determine if he is ready to resume his national duties.
“Family comes first, as BCCI’s press release stated, and Virat will only play if he feels that he is in a position to play,” a BCCI source stated, emphasizing the importance of family in Kohli’s decision-making process.
During a question and answer session on his YouTube channel amid India’s second Test against England in Vizag, AB de Villiers disclosed the reason behind Kohli’s absence, citing the impending birth of his second child. De Villiers highlighted Kohli’s priorities beyond cricket and expressed understanding for his decision.
“Yes, his second child is on the way. It’s family time, and things are important to him. If you are not true and genuine to yourself, you lose track of what you are here for. I think most people’s priority is family. You can’t judge Virat for that. Yes, we miss him. But he has made absolutely the right decision,” De Villiers concluded.
Kohli’s absence due to family commitments reflects the balance he seeks between his personal life and professional responsibilities. As discussions continue within the selection committee, the cricketing world awaits updates on Kohli’s availability for the upcoming Tests against England.
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