In a heartfelt Instagram post, Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian cricket team, disclosed that his wife, Anushka Sharma, gave birth to their second child, a son named Akaay, on February 15. This revelation follows Kohli's absence from the ongoing Test series against England, initially attributed to personal reasons.

Kohli, who had been in Hyderabad preparing for the first Test of the series, left abruptly to be with his family, leading to his unavailability for the entire series. Initially, he had communicated his unavailability only for the first two games. Despite his absence, India currently leads the five-match series 2-1, with the squad for the final three Tests having been announced just over a week ago.

This is not the first time Kohli has stepped away from cricket commitments for family reasons. During the birth of their first child, Vamika, Kohli had opted out of the last three Tests on the Australian tour in 2020-21. Ajinkya Rahane, then the vice-captain, had taken over the captaincy for those matches.

Kohli's recent break comes after his last appearance for India in mid-January during a T20 series against Afghanistan, where he was brought back into the fold with an eye on the upcoming World Cup scheduled for June 1.

India, in addition to Kohli's absence, also announced the resting of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test against England. Furthermore, KL Rahul, who had initially stepped in for Kohli at the No. 4 spot in the batting order, is still regaining full fitness, adding to the team's lineup challenges.

The couple's decision to name their son Akaay adds a personal touch to the announcement, and fans and well-wishers have flooded social media platforms with congratulatory messages for the family.

As Virat Kohli focuses on family responsibilities and celebrates the arrival of his son, the cricketing world sends warm wishes, understanding the captain's prioritization of personal moments amid his illustrious career. The leadership mantle in Kohli's absence falls on the capable shoulders of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, who has previously led the team admirably.

For fans, this announcement brings joy and excitement, not only for the expanding Kohli-Sharma family but also for the anticipation of Kohli's return to the cricket field after this joyous phase of family life.