Fans Question Kohli Taking Paternity Leave During Australia Series, Says Dhoni Didn’t Take One When Ziva Was Born

Virat Kohli, as BCCI announced yesterday, would not be available for the last three tests against Australia during the tour starting from November 27. India’s tour of Australia 2020 will have the two teams locking horns in 3ODIs, 3 T20s, 2 practice matches and 4 Tests.

https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1325752777948065792

Virat Kohli has been allowed paternity leave by BCCI as he had asked for one to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child.

“Mr Virat Kohli had informed the BCCI about his plans to return to India after the first Test in Adelaide. The BCCI has granted paternity leave to the Indian captain. He will return after the first Test against Australia in Adelaide,” the BCCI press release read.

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As the news was shared by BCCI, many came out loud to laud Kohli’s concern and his decision to be with his wife for their special day.

Well, well…this is huge news. Kohli to return after the 1st test in Australia to be there for the birth of his child. For the modern player, there is more to life than just his profession. But for the Indian team, the tour just got tougher.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 9, 2020

However, there was also a section of society that questioned Kohli’s plans and compared him with Dhoni, who, back in 2015, while leading India in the World Cup in Australia, had not taken a leave when his wife Sakshi was expecting.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ZIVA SINGH DHONI (@ziva_singh_dhoni) on May 5, 2020 at 1:18am PDT

For the unaware, Ziva Dhoni was born on 6th February 2015, which was two days ahead of India’s final warm-up game against Australia.

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Back then, when Dhoni was asked if he missed being in India during his birth of his first child, he had said: “As of now I am on national duties so I think everything else can wait. The World Cup is a very important campaign.”

kabhi bolta hain country comes first aur kabhi imp tour chorke chaley jaate hai. Dad k guzar jane k baad Kohli scored 90 odd runs the next day… & mny such players did the same. I remember Dhoni nvr took a leave when Ziva ws born.

— Santy (@Bungomacha) November 9, 2020

Just heard Kohli won't take part in 3 of 4 test matches against the aussies due to 'Paternity leave'. We will play without our best test batsman.

Then we had dhoni who didn't come back to India during the 2015 wc when ziva was born. Priorities matter. #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS

— Varun Garg ?? (@IamV_Garg) November 9, 2020

Though I respect Virat Kohli and his paternity leave is very much genuine and he deserves it..

And that's why MS Dhoni becomes more special because his first priority was his Nation when Ziva was born.
It takes a lot of courage to become The MS Dhoni..!!#AUSvIND

— Ashim Prakash (@apjpsinha) November 9, 2020

Nothing imp than national duty, yet again Kohli proved he is not a leader

— Sunil Kalyan (@sunilguts) November 9, 2020

Meanwhile obviously, there was another section of people too, which came out in support of Kohli reminding others that at Dhoni’s time, it was the World Cup on the cards and this is just a series.

MS Dhoni retired in middle of the series.

Rohit Sharma missed fourth test after his daughter was born.

Virat Kohli takes paternity leave after first Test.

MS Dhoni didn't see his daughter ahead of the World Cup.

All of these are personal decisions and should be respected.

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 9, 2020

As a role model, Kohli's decision to skip the most important Test series in cricket (and you know how much he enjoys the challenge of Tests) for his paternity leave goes a long way in setting the example for Indian men. Plan that long paternity leave, your family deserves it!

— cricBC (@cricBC) November 9, 2020

This is fabulous news. He needs to be part of this life changing event. https://t.co/5hI0lEGSQf

— Naomi Datta (@nowme_datta) November 9, 2020

Cricketers from all over the world take paternity leaves, and it's a matter of celebration. Here, it's almost like Kohli is being questioned for becoming a father.

Another reason why the whole concept of paternity leaves in India hasn't been rolled out like we would have liked.

— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) November 9, 2020

Why is Kohli questioned for taking a paternity leave? It doesn't make sense to throw in what Dhoni said and compare. It's a personal choice. Let him live his life like you happily live yours.

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) November 9, 2020

https://twitter.com/__kaushik18/status/1325679650962468865

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Well, to what we believe, it’s one personal decision to what they give preference to. And obviously, most of the time it’s the family one gives preference to for World Cups or series come and go but we only got one family.