• Virat Kohli recently made headlines for making himself unavailable for the five-match Test series against England.

  • BCCI secretary Jay Shah has now extended his support for Kohli amidst discussions and debate surrounding the sudden leave.

IND vs ENG: Jay Shah comes out in support of Virat Kohli amidst uproar over his leave for undisclosed personal reason
Jay Shah with Virat Kohli (Image Source: Twitter)

The cricketing world has been abuzz with discussions and debates over the sudden and undisclosed leave taken by Virat Kohli during the ongoing Test series against England. The absence of the Indian cricketing stalwart has stirred mixed feelings among fans, with some expressing disappointment and frustration. However, amidst the uproar, a significant voice has emerged in support of Kohli, with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah extending his support to the Delhi-born cricketer.

The mystery behind Virat Kohli’s unannounced leave

Kohli’s decision to make himself unavailable for the opening two tests against England raised eyebrows and sparked various speculations. Initially set to join the team, Kohli’s sudden move without disclosing the reason for his leave left fans curious and eager for his return in the remaining three Tests.

AB de Villiers’ second child claim and U-turn

As rumours circulated about Kohli and his wife, Anushka Sharma expecting their second child, the cricketing community was caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty. The news seemed to gain credibility when Virat’s close friend AB de Villiers confirmed the pregnancy. However, the situation took a sudden turn when de Villiers issued an apology and retracted his statement, leaving fans bewildered. What added to the frustration was Kohli even opting out from the remaining three Tests against England.

Also READ: BCCI secretary Jay Shah names India captain and vice-captain for T20 World Cup 2024

Fan discontent and social media outcry

The lack of transparency surrounding Kohli’s leave fueled discontent among fans, who expressed their displeasure over social media, questioning his priorities and commitment to national duty. Amidst the escalating tension, BCCI Secretary Shah stepped forward to address the concerns and extend his unequivocal support to the former Indian captain.

Jay Shah’s unwavering support

Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the renaming of the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium ahead of the third Test between India and England, Shah emphasized the importance of respecting players’ rights to personal leave and highlighted Kohli’s unwavering commitment to the game over the past 15 years. He urged fans to trust the players and assured them that discussions about Kohli’s leave could take place later.

“If somebody is asking for a personal leave in 15 years, then it is his right to ask for it. Virat is not that kind of a player that he would ask for a leave without any reason. We must back and trust our players. We will talk about Virat later,” said Shah.

Also READ: AB de Villiers opens up on the controversial case of Ishan Kishan

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About the Author:
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.