Xtra Time Web Desk: Australian batsman Steve Smith on Tuesday said Virat Kohli deserves credit for prioritising the birth of his child over cricket as “there would have been a lot of pressure” on the India skipper to stay for the entire duration of the ongoing Test series. The Indian captain will head home on Tuesday to be by the side of his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child next month.
“I’m sure there would have been a lot of pressure for him to stay but to stand up and want to go home for the birth of his first child, it’s a credit for him,” said Smith during a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
On being asked what did he say to Virat after the end of the match at Adelaide Oval, Smith said, “I just fist-pumped him at the end (of first Test) and said ‘Mate safe travels, hope everything goes well with the baby, and pass on my best to your wife.’ That was about it.”
The ace batsman admitted it will be a huge loss for India with Kohli not being available for the remainder of the series.
“Obviously, it’s a big loss for India, not having him for the rest of the series.”
Smith also acknowledged the batting effort of Kohli in the first innings. The Indian captain was looking good for a big score (74) until his innings was cut short by a terrible mix up between him and Ajinkya Rahane.
“We just have to look at the way he played in the first innings. That was a pretty class display against some good bowling on a wicket that was doing a bit.”
Kohli’s 74 was the highest score by any batsman on either side in the first innings of the pink-ball day/night Test while Smith was out for 1.