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Xtra Time Web Desk: Former Australian captain Steve Waugh on Tuesday said he was disappointed that India captain Virat Kohli will not be available for the entire test series. Kohli has been granted paternity leave by the BCCI after the first test in Adelaide to be by the side of his wife Anushka Sharma who is expecting a child in January.

It will definitely be a blow to the broadcasters as the India captain was the biggest box office attraction in the marquee test series.

 “I’m a little bit disappointed he’s not going to be there — and a bit surprised,” former skipper Waugh, who played 168 Tests, told AFP.

“This was really shaping up as one the key series of his whole career after he’s achieved just about everything. But obviously family comes first.”

Waugh said Kohli’s absence “does take away from the series”, but Australia would much rather he played.

“It’s a bit like a couple of years ago when India won without (David) Warner or (Steve) Smith in the side,” he said.

“You really want to win against the best possible opposition, particularly when this is like the heavyweight title fight.”

Kohli will lead India in three ODIs, three Twenty20 internationals and the first Test — a day-night match in Adelaide — before heading home.

The second Test starts in Melbourne on December 26 followed by matches in Sydney on January 7 and Brisbane on January 15, all played under strict bio-security protocols.