Virat Kohli's paternity leave for Australia tour divides netizens who compare him with MS Dhoni

The revised list of players going to travel to Australia for the series Down Under saw Indian skipper Virat Kohli leaving after playing the first Test.

The reason for him missing out from the tournament is that the captain is expecting his first child with Bollywood actress and wife Anushka Sharma.

The news was confirmed by BCCI's press release that stated that Kohli would be back in the country and on paternity leave. "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.

While many supported the choice of the batsman and backed the athlete for prioritising his family, some criticised the player for choosing his family over 'national duty'.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain was even compared to Mahendra Singh Dhoni who had chosen not to do back in 2015 while leading India in a World Cup in Australia when his wife Sakshi was expecting their first child. Ziva was born on 6th February 2015, two days ahead of India's final warm-up game against Australia.

During the time of Ziva’s birth, Dhoni was asked whether he missed being in India during his daughter’s birth, to which he replied: "Not really."

He also added: "As of now I am on national duty so I think everything else can wait. The World Cup is a very important campaign."

This is how netizens on Twitter reacted:

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

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

Kohli has every right to leave test series

Don't compare it with Dhoni

It's his personal call

— KAUSHIK PANDEY (@__kaushik18) November 9, 2020

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

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

I was super excited about the Ind-Aus series but Kohli's decision to go on paternity leave after the 1st test has killed all the fun!
PS: I respect his decision & wishing the best for the couple... Hope India will manage to do fine in tests without him...

— Gaurav Bhanderi (@GauravBee) November 9, 2020

Upon receiving heaps of responses on his Kohli tweet in which Harsha Bhogle wrote: "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."

He replied, "Expectedly so many reactions to Kohli's decision. Yes, the tour will get tougher because he is a great player, but we have to respect his decision. Becoming a parent is very special."