Virat Kohli Prioritizes Family, Misses England Tests; de Villiers Confirms Impending Fatherhood
Virat Kohli’s absence from the ongoing Test series against England has sparked widespread speculation, but his close friend and former teammate AB de Villiers has shed light on the situation.
In a recent YouTube Q&A, de Villiers revealed that Kohli is expecting his second child and chose to prioritize family, missing the first two Tests but potentially returning for the remaining matches.
Kohli initially cited “personal reasons” for his unavailability, leading to various rumors. However, de Villiers confirmed their communication, where Kohli emphasized the importance of family: “I wrote to him, ‘Been wanting to check in for a while now.
How are you?’ He said, ‘Just need to be with my family right now. I am doing well.’” De Villiers further clarified, “His second child is on the way. Yes, it’s family time and things are important to him.”
This isn’t the first time Kohli has prioritized family during a major Test series. In 2021, he returned home mid-tour from Australia for the birth of his first child.
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Considering his vital role in the Indian team with nearly 9,000 runs and 29 centuries in Tests, his potential return for the final three games could significantly impact the series outcome.
While Kohli’s personal decision has garnered mixed reactions, de Villiers emphasized the importance of respecting his choice: “If you are not true and genuine to yourself, you lose track of what you are here for… I think most people’s priority is family. You can’t judge Virat for that. We miss him… but he has made absolutely the right decision.”
With the series currently tied 1-1, all eyes will be on the Indian selectors’ decision for the remaining Tests and whether Kohli rejoins the squad, potentially bolstering their batting lineup against England.
The upcoming weeks promise an exciting climax to the series, fueled by both cricketing action and the anticipation of Kohli’s possible return.
