Kohli to miss most of Test series

Indian captain and superstar batsman Virat Kohli will miss the final three Tests of the series against Australia, to return home for the birth of his first child.

Kohli was granted paternity leave by the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) on Monday, with Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma set to give birth early in the New Year.

In a media statement on Monday, the BCCI said Kohli would return to India after the first Test, which will be India's first day-night Test overseas. The board however did not specify whether Kohli would return to rejoin the Indian Test squad at a later stage, though any return would have to negotiate strict quarantine protocols, adding to the time that he would not be available.

"At the selection committee meeting held on October 26th, 2020, Mr Virat Kohli had informed the BCCI about his plans to return to India after the first Test in Adelaide," the BCCI release, which was signed by board secretary Jay Shah, said. "The BCCI has granted paternity leave to the Indian captain. He will return after the first Test against Australia in Adelaide."

Kohli averages 53 in Test cricket and has made six centuries in Australia during his career, and is the most successful Indian captain in terms of Tests won, having won 33 of the 55 Test matches he has been in charge.

Ajinkya Rahane is set to assume the captaincy from Kohli from the second Test onwards, after the first Test which is a day night Test in Adelaide starting December 17th.

IMAGE: ESPN Cricinfo.