When Virat Kohli had announced that he would return back to India after the first Test match to take care of his pregnant wife Anushka Sharma, it had been quite a big news. The media houses immediately started comparing Kohli with former Indian captain, MS Dhoni. This is a habit that just does not seem to die down within the Indian Media and Social Media.
In context, MS Dhoni was also on a tour with the Indian team when his wife was expecting a baby. During that time, he had chosen his duty over his family. Mahendra Singh Dhoni had quoted, “How can I go back? I am on national duty”.
The Virat Kohli Video That Was Shared By The BCCI
Since Kohli’s announcement, many have questioned his sense of responsibility towards his team. Although, many have also congratulated the Indian skipper for taking this decision and for choosing family over Cricket. Steve Smith and Pragyan Ojha are some cricketers who supported Kohli’s decision.
Through a video posted on Twitter by BCCI, Virat Kohli tried to explain his decision. He said, “I will be flying back after the first Test. It was purely based on the fact that we have a quarantine period in both ways. I had previously explained the same to the selectors. It was during our selection meeting. I wanted to go back home in time to be with my wife for the birth of our first child and it is a very very special and very very beautiful moment in our lives and something I truly want to experience.“
What Aussie Batsman Steve Smith Said About The Decision?
The video got lots of love from Kohli’s fans. Most of the were supporting his decision. Aussie batsman and number one Test batsman Steve Smith stated, “I have said it before. I will say it once again. I give credit to him for being able to stand up. He said he wants to go home and be with his wife. It is a milestone he certainly would not want to miss. I am quite sure there would have been a lot of pressure on him to stay. But due credit to him to make the decision.”
What Mr Dilip Doshi Said About The Whole Situation?
However, some known faces have also openly criticized Kohli for this. For instance, former Indian cricketer Dilip Doshi said that Kohli should have given more importance to his National duty.
He went on to say, “To me, captaining India would be the prime-most thing on my mind. It is a sinking ship. This is the time when they need their captain the most. If you leave at this time, you are leaving the side to your deputy with a lot of questions unanswered. I only hope and pray that the team shows enough character to come out of this.”
“I know this is a modern phenomenon. It did not exist during our times back in the day. People do tend to believe nowadays that they ought to be by the side of their family and spouses. Especially, in a situation, when they deliver a child. When you are on a national duty… If I put myself in his shoes, I would not have gone for sure. For me, it is a national duty that comes before everything else.”
“This is a highly individual and institutional approach. Legally, you cannot stop somebody from doing that, which is obvious. The cricket board (BCCI) cannot have such a rule saying that the players cannot go home and be on the side of their spouses. Especially, for such an occasion. Personally, as I said before, I would not have gone though.”
