Virat Kohli’s decision to take paternity leave amidst India’s tour of Australia has created a lot of buzzes lately. The mighty Indians fell on their face while facing the full force of Australia’s bowling in the first pink-ball Test at Adelaide. To add on to their sorrows, skipper Virat Kohli will be missing from the Indian squad for the remaining three Tests. The 32-year-old has already departed for India to be with his pregnant wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child in January.

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India vs Australia: Dilip Doshi unhappy with Kohli’s decision

Several cricket pundits have shared their views about Kohli’s decision to leave his team mid-way through a very crucial series. While some have lauded Kohli’s decision, some have criticized the skipper’s move. Former Indian cricketer Dilip Doshi is the latest addition in the list of legends who have opposed Virat Kohli’s decision to return to his family. Dilip Doshi stated that he would have stayed with his team if he would have been in Kohli’s place.

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“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 in a video interview.

“This is a highly individual and institutional approach. Legally, you cannot stop somebody from 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

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The 73-year-old Indian ace later stated that captaining the Indian national side stands the highest regard for him. He used the term “sinking ship” while mentioning India’s current situation and stated that the captain of the ship is bidding adieu to the side during calamities.

“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 said.