Michael Clarke surprised with Virat Kohli's decision to skip the Afghanistan Test

Indian skipper Virat Kohli recently decided to skip the one-off historic Test against Afghanistan in order to play county cricket for Surrey in his bid to prepare for the upcoming England tour, which will get underway in July 2018. The Indian team will play three T20Is, three ODIs and five Tests in England until September. However, the World Cup-winning Australian captain Michael Clarke is surprised with the Indian skipper’s decision to skip the one-off Test. He went on to say that playing for the national team should be any player’s number one priority and hopes that Kohli will fly back from county cricket to play the Test against Afghanistan. “Look I am really surprised. I don’t know that’s Virat’s choice but I am really surprised. I think a Test match is a Test match. I don’t care who you are playing against, it needs to be number one priority. I still feel Virat can get what he wants in terms of coming and playing some games for Surrey and then I would like to see him fly back and play and Test match,” said Clarke as quoted by XtraTime. “I think there is a bit of a gap in the schedule which will allow him to do that. I think there are some one-dayers which he would be missing for Surrey,” he added. Playing for your country is always No. 1 priority Clarke further added that he always prioritized playing for his national team during his cricketing days. However, with all the paperwork done, Kohli will be aiming to do well for his new team Surrey in the County Championship “My whole career I prioritized my country. I have given up every other opportunity to play for whatever franchise or other teams. To represent your country is the most special thing in the world. Whatever team you play against, I think that should be the No.1 priority,” added Clarke. He will most likely be available for three County games during the month of June. He will also feature in three Royal London One-Day cup games and as a result, Kohli will also miss the first T20I against Ireland which will be played on 27th June. However, he will be back with the Indian team for the second T20I on 29th of June. [interaction id=”5af0766c69f1ea5af46f62e6″] For all the latest cricket news and other updates follow CricTracker.

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Michael Clarke surprised with Virat Kohli's decision to skip the Afghanistan Test

Kohli will most likely be available for three County games during the month of June. He will also feature in three Royal London One-Day cup games.

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