India Vs Australia: 'Absolutely Clear In My Mind', Says Virat Kohli On Decision To Return For Birth Of First Child

Australia vs India: Virat Kohli said the birth of his first child is a moment he wants to be there for "at any cost" in a chat with Steve Smith.

Photo: @imVkohli (Twitter)

Captain Virat Kohli faced a lot of criticism for deciding to leave the series against Australia and go back to his wife Anushka Sharma during the time of her delivery. Netizens even questioned his commitment towards the country saying it his national duty to be withe the Indian team but in a recent interview, Virat Kohli said that he has no doubts in his mind in asking for paternity leave so that he could return home to be with his pregnant wife. India skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday said that the decision to be present during the birth of his first child was "absolutely clear" in his mind and he does not want to miss the special moment "at any cost". Kohli will be featuring only in the opening Test against Australia and then will head back home after being granted paternity leave by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). "It is a decision that was absolutely clear in my mind. As committed as you are to play for your country, this is a very, very special moment in life and something that you want to be there for at any cost," Kohli told Australia's Steve Smith in a video posted by BCCI.

Ahead of the first Test against Australia, @imVkohli and @stevesmith49 recall memories from the 2014-15 series.

Watch the full interview here - https://t.co/3jEYM9zxzV #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/d0jpVSNnPd — BCCI (@BCCI) December 16, 2020

In his absence, Ajinkya Rahane will lead India against the number one team on the World Test Championship standings.

Virat Kohli expressed full faith in Rahane's captaincy

Virat Kohli wished him all the best for the remaining 3 Tests which he won't be a part of. "Firstly, Rahane and I have built mutual understanding over the years, we have had great partnerships batting together which is based on trust. Rahane has done a fantastic job in the two practice games, he seems to be very composed and he knows the strengths of our team and how we need to go. "We already know the template we play with and how we want to go about things. We are on the same page and I am sure Rahane will do a tremendous job in my absence," Kohli said in a virtual press conference.