Virat Kohli’s paternity leave is no less than a treat for the Australian team as the Indian skipper will head back to India after the first Test match in Adelaide to be with wife Anushka Sharma who is expecting the couples first born in early next year.
Having been granted the paternity leave triggered discussions on the impact the decision will have on team’s performance against Australia in the four-match Test series.
Australia’s opening batsman David Warner stepped forward to named a few of India’s capable players in Test format who hold strong leadership qualities and can imbue in the captains’ role with equal dedication.
In a virtual conference, Warner spoke about the Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and how he holds a different attitude as compared to Kohli. He compared the two as chalk and cheese as Kohli holds an aggressive attitude on the field while Rahane is more calmer on his approach.
“…it’s like chalk and cheese with them two (Kohli and Rahane) and as a player to try and engage him on the field, as we’re talking about engaging, and getting into that contest as players, it’s obviously lots to think about how to do that especially with Ajinkya as captain,” Warner said.
“He’s calm and very measured in his approach. He’s got a very good cricket brain,” Warner was quoted by PTI.
“The great thing from India’s perspective is that you’ve got three if not four very good players who could captain the team at any time. With him, he’ll bring a calm and measured approach with his nature,” Warner added further.
India is scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals with same number of T20I’s and four Test matches.