Justin Langer, Australian head coach praised Virat Kohli for prioritising his family and deciding to take leave for last three Tests on account of being with his wife, Anushka Sharma, who’s due to give birth to their first child in January.
Earlier, the 32-year-old Virat Kohli, regular Indian skipper took paternity leave from BCCI and would be leaving Australia after the commencement of first Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 17.
Justin Langer: Virat Kohli’s Absence Will Have An Impact
Justin Langer, who’s in charge of the Australian team for over two years, praised the Delhi-born Virat Kohli as one of the best batsmen currently and said that his absence might not help Indian team’s cause. Virat Kohli won’t be a part of the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane Test.
“Virat Kohli is probably the best player I’ve ever seen in my life for so many reasons, not only batting but his energy and passion for the game, the way he fields.
“I cannot believe he displays the energy he does in everything he does and I’ve got so much respect for him. I’ve also got respect for him in the sense that he’s made this decision (to return to India for the birth of his child),” Langer was quoted as saying in India Today.
“He’s a human being like all of us… if I was giving advice to any of my players, I would always say never, ever miss the birth of your children because it is one of the great things you’ll ever do.
“Of course, it (Kohli’s absence) will have an impact, but we also know that India beat us last time (in 2018-19). They’re a very, very good team, we cannot get complacent for a second with or without Virat,” Justin Langer added.
Justin Langer said he respected Virat Kohli’s decision to return to India for the birth of his child besides crediting the latter as the best player seen by him for the Indian skipper’s batting and positive energy displayed on field. Justin Langer said that though India possess the likes of batsmen Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma, absence of Virat Kohli will have an impact as he averages more than 50 in all 3 formats and is on form.
Virat Kohli Won Last Time Around In Australia In 2018-19 Which Was India’s First
Last time around in 2018-19,the last time India toured Australia, Virat Kohli became the first Indian skipper to win a Test series in Australia. Though he scored a fifty and a century, he couldn’t quite live up to the standards he sets with the bat in hand, averaging around 40. He scored 282 runs and was the third-highest scorer for both sides.
The series belonged to Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara, who was the leading run-scorer of the series with 521 runs at an average of 74.42 with 3 centuries. Australia were without the services of David Warner and Steven Smith in 2018-19 as they were serving one year ban for ball tempering.
Prior to the Tests, Virat Kohli will lead India in three T20Is and as many ODIs as well starting November 27 onwards. Meanwhile, Cameron Green, Moises Henriques and Sean Abbott were among 18 man squad of Australia announced for India limited overs series. Mitchell Swepson, Will Pucovski and Cameron Green were in Test squad. One of the notable absentees was Shaun Marsh.