Farokh Engineer Reckons Virat Kohli Should Not Be Trolled For His Paternity Leave

Former Indian keeper-batsman Farokh Engineer has expressed his unhappiness at Virat Kohli being trolled after India’s series-levelling win over Australia in the second Test. India responded with an eight-wicket victory over Australia after suffering a defeat by the same scoreline in the first. Farokh Engineer feels that it is unfair to troll Virat Kohli.

As already planned, Virat Kohli returned home after the first Test to be with his wife as they expect their first child in January. However, Kohli could not see the tourists win in the first Test and instead in his watch, India recorded their lowest total in the format and ultimately succumbed to a defeat. As a result, fans were critical of him leaving the team when it needed him the most.

Farokh Engineer disagrees with the trolling that Virat Kohli has copped as he made a personal decision to be with his wife, which is nothing wrong. Thus, it seems unfair of the fans to take a jibe at him. Engineer compared India with South America, where football rules and the fans slam the team as soon as they lose but on the top of the world when they win. The 82-year old underlined that that’s how passionate they are.

“I disagree with that (trolling Virat Kohli). Why would you troll someone? He has made a personal decision to be with his wife to have the first child, which is not too unfair to ask for. It’s just like South America, they are very passionate about their football (so are we about cricket). If we lose abroad or anywhere, our house is on fire the next day. But, the very next day, as soon as you do well, you’ll be top of the tree. You’re God. This is how passionate we are. You can’t help it,” Engineer told Sportskeeda.

My thought would have been for my country: Farokh Engineer

Farokh Engineer further said that if it were him, he would have chosen the team, especially after suffering a crushing defeat in the first Test. At the same time, he refuses to blame Virat Kohli for putting his family first and sees it as a modern trend and an age difference.

“But personally, I would have rather played for India especially with India not having done so well in the first match. My thought would have been for my country. But, I don’t blame Virat Kohli for being with his family. This is the modern trend. I think it’s just an age difference,” he added.

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