IND vs AUS: National Duty Comes First Says Dilip Doshi on Virat Kohli’s Paternity Leave Amid Test Series

Former Indian Spinner Dilip Doshi opened up on the Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s decision of heading back to India to be with his wife Anushka Sharma who is going to give birth to their first child in January. Doshi reckoned that if he would be there at Kohli’s place, he would’ve given more importance to national duty.

Notably, Virat Kohli headed back to India on paternity leave to be with his wife and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, who is going to give birth to their first child. Kohli will miss the remaining three Tests against Australia, which plays a crucial role in World Test Championship cycle. Ajinkya Rahane will lead the team in Kohli’s absence.

India has got many things to sort out before the Boxing Day Test. With Virat Kohli missing the last three Tests, the management needs to find the suitable batsman to replace the Indian skipper at number 4. Although many cricket experts and analysts have already suggested the management to go with KL Rahul or Ajinkya Rahane for number 4 spot but still management has to confirm the things before heading into Boxing Day Test.

“I know this is a modern phenomenon that people believe that they ought to be by the side of their family and spouses when they deliver a child. I understand all that. But when you are on a national duty If I put myself in his shoes, I wouldn’t have gone. For me, national duty comes before everything else,” Doshi told Sportskeeda.

At the same time, Doshi said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) didn’t have any say in the Indian skipper’s decision as they can not force their players to be with the team instead of his spouse on such occasions.

“This is a highly individual and institutional approach. Legally, you cannot stop somebody from doing that. The cricket board cannot have a rule saying the players cannot go and be on the side of their spouses for such an occasion. Personally, I wouldn’t have gone,” Doshi added.