‘He’s a human being like all of us’ - Justin Langer praises Virat Kohli for taking paternity leave from Australia tour

Australia head coach Justin Langer lauded Virat Kohli for prioritising his family and deciding on being with wife Anushka Sharma, who’s due to give birth to their first child in the month of January. Earlier, the 32-year-old Kohli took paternity leave and would be leaving Australian territory after the Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 17.

Langer, who’s in charge of the Australian team for over two years, praised the Delhi-born Kohli as one of the best in the business and said that his absence may not augur well for the Indian team. Virat won’t be a part of the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane Test.

Virat Kohli’s absence will have an impact, says Langer

“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,” Langer was quoted as saying in India Today.

“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).

“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,” he added.

Last time around in 2018-19, 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.

The series belonged to Cheteshwar Pujara, who was the leading run-scorer of the series with 521 runs at an average of 74.42. Prior to the Tests, Kohli will lead India in three T20Is and as many ODIs as well.