Rohit Sharma's call to miss Perth Test defended by Michael Clarke: Family first

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has defended India skipper Rohit Sharma’s decision to miss the Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on November 22. Rohit and his wife Ritika Sajdeh were blessed with a baby boy on November 15, Friday and the India skipper will now be on paternity leave for the moment.

Many have come in support of Rohit’s decision, including Travis Head, and now Clarke is the latest to join in. Speaking to RevSportz, the former Aussie skipper said that while he loved representing the national side, the happiest day of his life was the birth of his daughter. Clarke said that family comes first and the birth of his second child is a very different moment.

Clarke said that while Rohit would be missed by India, he would also have done the same thing if he was in the star batter’s position.

“Let me tell you something, mate. I loved playing for Australia and I loved captaining Australia. I loved the baggy green. Having said that, the happiest day of my life was when my daughter was born. Much more than a Test match or a win or even a World Cup. It is very different, and you can’t equate it to anything.”

“Family comes first, mate. A Test match will come again, but this is a very very different moment. Yes, Rohit will be missed. His leadership will be missed, but I can tell you I’d have done the exact same thing if I was in his position. You can’t take these things away from anyone,” said Clarke.

We are human beings first

Clarke said that Rohit did the correct thing and he can now immerse himself into the job once he joins the team.

“No two ways, mate. You have to realise and understand that we are human beings first. Rohit has done the absolute correct thing. Now, he can travel and join the team and fully immerse himself into the job. And he will be a key player for India, for sure. But what he has done is exactly the right thing to do,” said Clarke.

Rohit is now expected to linkup with the team before the match in Adelaide as it is expected that he could join the squad during the Perth Test

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