AB de Villers has taken a U-turn on his comments regarding Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma expecting their second child and clarified that he shared a “false information” on his YouTube channel.
“Family comes first it’s the priority as I said on my YouTube channel,” De Villers told Dainik Bhaskar.
“I made a terrible mistake at the same time, sharing false information, which was not true at all.
“I think whatever’s best for Virat’s family comes first. No one knows what’s happening there, all I can do is wish him well. Whatever the reason for his break, I hope he can comeback stronger, better and fresh from this.”
Senior India batsmen has missed the first two Tests and his comeback to the Indian cricket team is expected to be delayed further as he is certain to miss the third Test against England in the ongoing five-match series.
Earlier on his Youtube channel, De Villers shared excerpts from the texts which he and Kohli had exchanged which confirmed that the Indian star was expecting a child.
“So I wrote to him ‘Been wanting to check in with you (sic) for a while now biscuits. How are you?’. He said ‘Just need to be with my family right now. I am doing well.’.
“Yes, his second child is on the way. Yes, it’s family time and things are important to him. If you are not true and genuine to yourself, you lose track of what you are here for. I think most people’s priority is family. You can’t judge Virat for that. Yes, we miss him. But he has made absolutely the right decision,” de Villiers added.
The five-match Test series is evenly poised after India won the second Test to draw level at 1-1.
Kohli had missed the first two Test matches of the series due to personal reasons and it is learnt that he had flown to England thereafter with his family.
Three days prior to the series, Kohli had told the Indian team management and selectors that he wanted a break. In its press release, the BCCI had stated that, “While representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention. The BCCI respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter”.