Virat Kohli missed a century? Blame Anushka. Kohli did't perform. Blame daughter Vamika!

Virat Kohli missed a century? Blame wife Anushka Sharma. Virat Kohli couldn’t perform well? Blame daughter Vamika. Why do we always blame Virat Kohli’s family life whenever the cricketer isn’t able to perform well? Pakistani Bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s comment on Virat Kohli also amplifies this obsession with the Indian Batsman’s personal life.

After recent controversy involving Virat Kohli’s daughter Vamika, the Indian batsman couldn’t complete his 71^st century against South Africa in the first ODI match. Cricket fans have been trolling him for losing focus and diminishing form after his marriage and birth of his daughter.

Pakistani Bowler Shoaib Akhtar also took a dig at Kohli’s family life in a recent interview where he commented that the marriage puts pressure on a sportsperson and he could have waited to enjoy his time in cricket for longer. He reportedly said that his marriage and the pressure of captaincy may have affected his rising career.

Shoaib Akhtar’s comment on Virat Kohli

Pakistani Fast Bowler Shoaib Akhtar, in his interview, said that marriage plays an important role in a cricketer’s life. Referring to Kohli’s marriage with Anushka Sharma and his captaincy, he mentioned that the pressures of a married life and expectations of captaincy may have affected his performance as a cricketer.

Anushka Sharma shows off strength by lifting husband Virat Kohli

Shoaib Akhtar’s comment on Virat Kohli also mentioned that he could have enjoyed his peak of career a little more if he hadn’t married yet, “I would have not even married if I were in his place. I had just scored runs and enjoyed cricket, these 10-12 years of cricket are different time and doesn't come again, I am not saying getting married is wrong but If you are playing for India, you would have enjoyed a time a little.” He said.

Why are we so obsessed with Virat Kohli’s personal life that we relate his family to his missed centuries? Why do we always blame a player’s family for his poor performance or his inability to play well?

Anushka Sharma has always stood like a strong partner with her husband Virat Kohli through thick and thin by the looks of the many events they are seen together. Even amid all the controversies, she has supported Kohli publicly. Yet Sharma has always been trolled for Kohli’s inability to score runs or centuries while the batsman is trolled for losing focus in the presence of his wife and daughter.

Suggested Reading: Why Did Media Reveal Vamika’s Face? Why Is the Pap Obsessed With Star Kids?

When are we going to stop blaming a player’s family life for their unsatisfactory performances? Why can’t we consider it as a mere sport and not let it overpower our sense of judgement by holding their wife or daughter accountable when they are unable to score centuries? Aren’t they allowed to experience rough patches in their careers like any other human being?

Views expressed are author's own