Experts divided over Kohli's county decision

Cricket experts appear to be divided on Virat Kohli’s decision to opt out from the historic Afghanistan Test match to play county cricket preparing for the England tour.

Cricket experts appear to be divided on Virat Kohli’s decision to opt out from the historic Afghanistan Test match to play county cricket preparing for the England tour.

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke and India’s World Cup Winning coach Gary Kirsten have contrasting view points on the issue that has attracted a lot of eyeballs.

Clarke was completely shocked by Virat's decision and thinks that the Indian skipper should be playing the historic one-off against Afghanistan.

"I'm really surprised... I don't know why, it's Virat's choice. I think a Test match is a Test match. I don't care who we play against. It has to be your number one priority," Clarke said.

"To represent your country is the most special feeling in the world. I would like to see him fly back and play the Test, a bit of gap in the schedule which can allow him to do that,"

Kirsten on the other hand supported the Indian skipper's decision to have a stint in the County cricket. Kirsten said, “Playing domestic cricket season in UK is a great opportunity and every player in the world aspires to play there. If Kohli is playing the season ahead of the tour, it’s going to be helpful for him to familiarise with the conditions and will be helpful for the Indian team too,”

Clarke, however, made it clear that he was not against Kohli paying County cricket but according to him it shouldn’t come at the expense of a Test match.

"Definitely it's fantastic preparation and it shows his determination and how hungry he is to perform individually and how much he wants India to be successful.

It's sending a clear message to his teammates and England that he wants to have a successful tour of UK. He wants to win that series," Clarke said.

Kohli had a horrendous tour in England in 2014 where he scored only 134 runs in five tests with an average of 13.4.

India’s England tour starts off with the limited overs series – three T20Is and three ODIs followed by a five-match Test series from August 1.