Additionally, he recognized the significance of family in Virat’s life, confirming that the imminent arrival of their second child played a crucial role in his decision-making. “Yes, his second child is on the way. Family time is vital to him. If you are not true and genuine to yourself, you lose track of what you are here for. I believe most people prioritize family. You can’t judge Virat for that.
Yes, we miss him. But he has unquestionably made the right decision,” de Villiers further remarked.
Three days prior to the commencement of the first Test against Ben Stokes’ team, Kohli opted to withdraw from the matches in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. As per the BCCI release, Kohli had discussions with India’s captain Rohit Sharma and the team management. He conveyed that, while his commitment to representing the country remains unwavering, current personal situations require his “undivided attention.”
The official statement reads, “Virat Kohli has spoken to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management, and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention.”
The Indian cricket board urged fans and media to not engage in speculations over Virat Kohli’s absence as Rajat Patidar was named as his replacement for the first two Tests.
“The BCCI requests the media and fans to respect Virat Kohli’s privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons. The focus should remain on supporting the Indian cricket team as they embark on the upcoming challenges in the Test series,” the detailed board statement added.
De Villiers did not specify if Virat Kohli will return for the final three matches against England.
