For a third Test in a row, Virat Kohli won’t be wearing the whites for India. Instead, he will be off, on a break while IND vs ENG Test series is on. While the real reason is still not revealed, it is understood that Kohli is overseas with his wife Anushka Sharma, who is expecting her second child. Even though AB de Villiers has taken a u-turn on his statement, family first seems to be the case. However, even as fans are unhappy, Kohli’s ex-RCB teammate Dale Steyn has defended the Indian superstar.
“I think family is your most important priority. I’m sorry, like, that’s it, you know. That’s the end of the story. Like right there,” Dale Steyn told reporters ahead of SA20 final.
Dale Steyn added that he would have done the same if something happened to his family.
“I’ve got three dogs, and if one dog got sick, and I was in the IPL, I’m jumping on the first plane out of there to come back to see my dog,” Dale Steyn said.
Will Virat Kohli play?
There is no official update on Virat Kohli from the BCCI apart from the Jan 22 update. The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee was supposed to speak to Virat Kohli and understand when he can return. However, InsideSport understands that Kohli will miss the entire IND vs ENG series.
More on IND vs ENG Tests
Dale Steyn feels there is no problem if Kohli wants to skip a Test series which is locked at 1-1.
“So if Virat Kohli has decided to sit at home, I don’t see any problem with that at all. The man has been a servant for India for many, many, many years. He’s won World Cup. He’s captained. I don’t know what more the man can actually do to prove himself in the cricketing world,” Dale Steyn added.
He is certainly not available for the third and fourth Test. Whether he can join the team for the 5th Test is a call for later.
In the meantime, even though BCCI has asked for privacy for the player, there will always be questions. However, the team continues to struggle in his absence.
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