CA chief officer Nick Hockley reckons Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s absence after the first Test of the Border Gavaskar series will not any financial effect on the home board financially. Virat will be leading India in the opening Test — the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, starting December 17 but will be heading back to India to be with his wife and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma for the birth of their child.

Ajinkya Rahane will be leading the team in the remaining 3 Tests and the middle-order position is up for grabs. India will be facing an uphill battle as Tim Paine and his men will be keen on claiming revenge for the loss they suffered in 2018-19. With Steve Smith and David Warner back, Australia is a stronger side than the one India managed to beat 2-1 during their last trip.

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Talking about Kohli’s early exit, CA chief, Nick Hockley said, “We absolutely respect Virat’s decision. We are delighted that he will captain the side in each of the ODIs and the T20s and the first Test. This series is of great importance to world cricket and Australian cricket. It’s a testament to all cricketing nations that we could get international cricket up and running in a safe way. The series will be played in front of large crowds.”

Hockley ruled out the possibility of hosting a full series of day-night Tests in the near future but said the December 17-21 pink-ball opener has gripped the fans.

CA chief explained, “What I can say is that day/night test over last 3-4 seasons has become a much-loved feature of the Australia summer. The anticipation and excitement around this first-ever day/night Test against India have taken to a different level, given the rivalry.”

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He further added, “At this stage, we have not contemplated on a full day/night series but certainly Adelaide has become the home of first-day night test in Australia. There is a history there. We expect the Australian and Indian fans to travel for what will be a historic match.”