Had I Been In Virat Kohli's Place, I Wouldn't Have Left The Team Midway: Dilip Doshi

Indian captain Virat Kohli’s decision to leave the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after the first Test and head home in order to be with his pregnant wife Anushka Sharma has received mixed reactions.

While a significant section has heaped praise on Virat for keeping his family ahead of everything, others have criticized the champion batsman for leaving the side stranded in the midst of such an important series.

Joining the list of critics is former Indian cricketer Dilip Doshi, who feels that Virat Kohli should not have left the side- which he termed as a sinking ship- especially after the debacle in Adelaide.

“To me, captaining India would be the prime-most thing on my mind. It’s a sinking ship. This is the time when they need their captain the most. If you leave at this time, you are leaving the side to your deputy with a lot of questions unanswered. I only hope and pray that the team shows enough character to come out of this.” Dilip Doshi was quoted as saying by News18.

Doshi added that while the BCCI cannot stop any individual from taking such a decision bit had he been in Virat Kohli’s place, then he would have never left the tour midway, as for him ‘national duty’ comes before everything else.

“I know this is a modern phenomenon that people believe that they ought to be by the side of their family and spouses when they deliver a child. I understand all that. But when you are on a national duty… If I put myself in his shoes, I wouldn’t have gone. For me, national duty comes before everything else,” Doshi, who player 15 ODIs and 33 Tests for India, said.

“This is a highly individual and institutional approach. Legally, you cannot stop somebody doing that. The cricket board cannot have a rule saying the players cannot go and be on the side of their spouses for such an occasion. Personally, I wouldn’t have gone,” added Doshi.

Recently, Virat Kohli, during a one-on-one chat with Steve Smith, had said that he had absolutely no doubts in his mind regarding his decision, adding that he wants to be alongside his wife in what is a very special phase for the celebrity couple.

“It’s 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 that you want to be there for at any cost. It’s a blessed time and we’re very excited,” Virat Kohli had told Steve Smith during an informal chat between the two superstars ahead of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test.

Also Read- Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja Likely Get The Green Flag For India-Australia Boxing Day Test