Virat Kohli's Absence Will Not Affect CA Financially: Nick Hockley

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, has said that Indian captain and a global icon, Virat Kohli, missing three of the four-Test matches in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy will not affect the board financially.

The Indian tour of Australia has been deemed as the 300 million dollar cash-grab for Cricket Australia, which is struggling financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic. And, many believed that with the series’ biggest brand, Virat Kohli missing the major part of the Test series will leave a hole in CA’s pockets.

For the uninitiated, Virat Kohli will head home after playing the first Test at the Adelaide Oval in order to be with his pregnant wife and Bollywood star, Anushka Sharma, who is due to deliver the couple’s first baby in January.

“I think the first thing is that we’re delighted for Virat and Anushka [Sharma, his wife] for the imminent birth of their child. We respect Virat’s decision and the BCCI to grant him leave. We’re just delighted he’ll be here to captain the side for the ODIs and the T20Is and the first Test. He’ll bring competitive leadership that we’ve seen before and have become accustomed to watching. I don’t think his absence will have a financial bearing.” Nick Hockley said during an interaction with Indian media as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

 

‘We are extremely grateful to the BCCI to make this tour happen’- Nick Hockley

Nick Hockley further added that not only in terms of a financial boost but the successful staging of India’s tour of Australia is vital for CA in the sense that it will send out a positive message to the international cricket community that the Aussies can host international cricket amid the global pandemic.

Hockley also lauded the cricketing community for the manner in which they have come together to help each other in such testing times besides expressing his gratitude towards the BCCI for making the tour happen.

“This series is of great importance to world cricket and Australian cricket,” Hockley said. “One of the features of the pandemic has been how the international cricket community has supported each other. Even we had travelled to England in September, and we are extremely grateful to the BCCI to make this tour happen,” Nick Hockley said.

“This is a testament to all countries that we’ve got international cricket back up and running. Australia have been extremely fortunate that we’ve managed the Covid-19 situation very well, and I’m excited that the [India] series will be played in front of crowds.” he added.

Also Read- Nick Hockley Confirms Day-Night Test At Adelaide To Go Ahead As Scheduled