Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has officially confirmed the speculation surrounding Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s absence from the first two Test matches against England. De Villiers disclosed in a YouTube video on February 3 that Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma are expecting their second child soon, shedding light on the personal reasons behind Kohli’s withdrawal from the series. Kohli had initially been named in the squad but opted out just three days before the opening match in Hyderabad.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier stated that Kohli had requested a break due to personal reasons, urging media and fans not to speculate on the nature of these reasons. Despite ongoing rumors about Anushka’s pregnancy on social media, there was no official confirmation or denial from the Bollywood actress.
AB de Villiers, who shares a cricketing history with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, clarified in his YouTube video that Kohli’s decision to prioritize his family was the reason for his absence. De Villiers expressed support for Kohli’s choice, emphasizing the importance of family and the authenticity of one’s decisions.
Acknowledging that Kohli’s absence will be felt, de Villiers stated, “Yes, we miss him. But he has made absolutely the right decision.” However, the news raises questions about Kohli’s return for the upcoming matches in the series. The third Test is slated for February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, but the BCCI has yet to announce the squad for the remaining games.
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