About three months ago, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli took to social media to announce that their family is soon to get bigger with the birth of their first child, due in January 2021. Soon after, Virat also opened up about embracing parenthood with his wife.
As per a report in News18, skipper Virat Kohli is set for paternity leave and would be absent from the last 3 Test matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He would be back in India in time for the birth of his first child with Anushka.
BCCI’s press release read, “Mr. Virat Kohli had informed the BCCI about his plans to return to India after the first Test in Adelaide. The BCCI has granted paternity leave to the Indian captain. He will return after the first Test against Australia in Adelaide.”
Sharing the news, commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted lauding Virat for his decision, while maintaining that the tour would get tougher for the Indian team in Kohli’s absence. Check it out:
Well, well…this is huge news. Kohli to return after the 1st test in Australia to be there for the birth of his child. For the modern player, there is more to life than just his profession. But for the Indian team, the tour just got tougher.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 9, 2020
There was, however, a section of social media who questioned his decision of choosing family over his professional life, citing it ‘national duty’. Some even compared him with Mahendra Singh Dhoni who chose not to take a leave during the World Cup, when his wife Sakshi was expecting their first child.
For the uninitiated, Ziva was born on 6th February 2015, two days ahead of India’s final warm-up game against Australia. When asked by the media whether he missed being in India during Ziva’s birth, he replied, “Not really.” He also stated, “As of now I am on national duties so I think everything else can wait. The World Cup is a very important campaign.”
Here are the tweeple’s reactions:
Just heard Kohli won't take part in 3 of 4 test matches against the aussies due to 'Paternity leave'. We will play without our best test batsman.
Then we had dhoni who didn't come back to India during the 2015 wc when ziva was born. Priorities matter. #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
— Varun Garg 🇮🇳 (@IamV_Garg) November 9, 2020
Though I respect Virat Kohli and his paternity leave is very much genuine and he deserves it..
And that's why MS Dhoni becomes more special because his first priority was his Nation when Ziva was born.
It takes a lot of courage to become The MS Dhoni..!!#AUSvIND— Ashim Prakash (@apjpsinha) November 9, 2020
The other section of social media supported Kohli’s call of taking paternity leave, citing it to be a ‘personal choice’.
This is fabulous news. He needs to be part of this life changing event. https://t.co/5hI0lEGSQf
— Naomi Datta (@nowme_datta) November 9, 2020
Why is Kohli questioned for taking a paternity leave? It doesn't make sense to throw in what Dhoni said and compare. It's a personal choice. Let him live his life like you happily live yours.
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) November 9, 2020
Kohli has every right to leave test series
Don't compare it with Dhoni
It's his personal call
— KAUSHIK PANDEY (@__kaushik18) November 9, 2020
MS Dhoni retired in middle of the series.
Rohit Sharma missed fourth test after his daughter was born.
Virat Kohli takes paternity leave after first Test.
MS Dhoni didn't see his daughter ahead of the World Cup.
All of these are personal decisions and should be respected.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 9, 2020
Cricketers from all over the world take paternity leaves, and it's a matter of celebration. Here, it's almost like Kohli is being questioned for becoming a father.
Another reason why the whole concept of paternity leaves in India hasn't been rolled out like we would have liked.
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) November 9, 2020
As a role model, Kohli's decision to skip the most important Test series in cricket (and you know how much he enjoys the challenge of Tests) for his paternity leave goes a long way in setting the example for Indian men. Plan that long paternity leave, your family deserves it!
— cricBC (@cricBC) November 9, 2020
Upon receiving heaps of responses from both sides, Bhogle finally tweeted his concluding thoughts:
Expectedly so many reactions to Kohli's decision. Yes,the tour will get tougher because he is a great player, but we have to respect his decision. Becoming a parent is very special.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 9, 2020
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