Virat Kohli skipping Afghanistan Test for County ‘surprising’: Michael Clarke

It may well be for the greater good but Virat Kohli’s putting County over country has left Michael Clarke surprised. India’s refusal to play a day-night Test in the Australian summer though has not.

“I am really surprised. I think a Test match is a Test match and I don’t care who you are playing against; it needs to be number one priority,” said the former Australia captain, speaking at an interactive session with cricket historian Boria Majumdar organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce here on Wednesday.

Clarke, 37, was giving his take on Kohli skipping the solitary game to mark Afghanistan’s entry into the Test-fold, in Bangalore from June 14, to get ready for the series against England beginning in July by playing for Surrey.

“I still feel Virat can get what he wants in terms of coming and playing some games for Surrey and then I would like to see him fly back and play the Test match.

“I think there is a bit of a gap in the schedule which will allow him to do that… I have given up every other opportunity to play for whatever franchise or other teams. To represent your country is the most special thing in the world. Whatever team you play against, I think that should be the No 1 priority,” said Clarke.

That was the only time during the freewheeling conversation that Clarke was not on the same page as the India skipper.

He batted for Kohli’s idea of getting ready for England by playing County cricket. “It will be fantastic preparation for him and also shows his determination. It shows not only how hungry he is to perform individually but how much he wants India to have success. Virat’s played enough cricket; he doesn’t need to do that (prepare by going earlier to England). The fact that he is doing that, he deserves a lot of credit for that.”

‘India eyeing opportunity’

On India’s refusal to play a day-night Test in Australia, Clarke said he understood. “India feel like they know the conditions that will suit them best to beat Australia. Remember, India has never beaten Australia ever in Australia. This is their chance. That is exactly what Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri and all of India will be thinking…. If we play during the day, the wicket is flatter, they spin a little bit more. At night there is no spin, there is moisture and bit more movement. So, we prefer to take our chances during the day like we have played every other Test match throughout our careers,” he said.

On the 2019 World Cup, Clarke said MS Dhoni should be in the squad because he has the experience and is showing he can still perform at the highest level. “The India team isn’t missing anything…When the IPL began you had many international captains but now you have just one. That’s an unbelievable advantage, a great position for the India skipper to be in. In England (in 2019), spin’s going to play a part and this India team has so many match-winners. That is what I had in 2015,” he said.