If I put myself in Virat Kohli's shoes, I wouldn’t have left the team mid-way: Dilip Doshi

Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s decision of missing the last three Tests against Australia to witness the birth of his first child has received a mixed response from the cricket pundits and former players. While many appreciated Kohli for prioritizing his family and taking this bold decision, there were a few who had contrasting views. The new addition to this list is former Indian cricketer Dilip Doshi who believes that Virat shouldn’t have left for India as national duty comes before anything else.

Dilip reckoned that if he would have been in Virat’s place, he would have stood by his team without thinking about anything else. The veteran further stated that BCCI didn’t have any say in the Indian skipper’s decision as they can’t force their players to be with the team instead of his spouse on such occasions.

“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 told Sportskeeda during an online interaction with journalist Indranil Basu.

“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.

The team will miss Virat Kohli as a player more than as a captain: Dilip Doshi

Speaking about India’s horrible collapse at a paltry total of 36 in the second innings of the Adelaide Test, Dilip Doshi said that it was not right for the Indian skipper to leave the team after such a shocking performance as they needed their captain by their side to motivate them.

“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,” Doshi further added.

The former cricketer further stated that the Men in Blue will miss Kohli the batsman more than Kohli the skipper as his presence on the field gives a lot of confidence to the team. Virat’s records on the Australian soil are unmatchable as he forms the backbone of India’s batting line-up.

“He’s an outstanding player. The team will miss him as a player more than as a captain. Him being at the crease gives a lot of confidence to other people,” the 73-year-old concluded.