Amidst widespread speculation about Virat Kohli’s absence from the first two Tests against England, questions have arisen within the cricket community regarding the commitment of the renowned Indian batter. Known for his unparalleled dedication to cricket, Kohli’s absence fueled various theories.
In a recent development, AB de Villiers, the former South African cricketer and a close confidant of Kohli from their days at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has shed light on the matter. Kohli, initially named in the squad for the opening matches, later announced his withdrawal from the series’ start in Hyderabad, attributing his decision to personal reasons.
Addressing inquiries on his YouTube channel, De Villiers disclosed that Kohli and his spouse, Anushka Sharma, anticipate their second child’s arrival, which prompted Kohli’s decision to step back from the England series.
De Villiers shared, “All I know is he is fine. He is dedicating time to his family, which explains his absence from the first two Test matches. I won’t confirm anything beyond that. I eagerly await his return. He’s in good spirits and doing well.”
To confirm his statement, De Villiers referred to a text message exchange with Kohli, which corroborated the news about the couple expecting their second child, adding, “Let me check his exact words. I want to share a bit of the joy with you.”
