Australia's World Cup winning captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday he is "surprised" by Virat Kohli's decision to skip India's one-off Test against Afghanistan next month in order to play for English county side Surrey and prepare better for India's long tour of England.
"look I am really surprised. I don't know that's Virat's choice but I am really surprised. I think a Test match is a Test match. I don't care who you are playing against, it needs to be number one priority."
"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," he added.
"I think there is a bit of a gap in the schedule which will allow him to do that. I think there are some one-dayers which he would be missing for Surrey.
"In my whole career I prioritised my country. I gave 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," added the 37-year old who led Australia to its 2015 World Cup triumph.
Earlier this month, Virat had officially inked a deal with Surrey and the decision was backed by Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai.
India will take on England in five Tests later this year and the right-hander has a poor record in England.
During the 2014 tour, he managed just 134 runs from five Tests at a woeful average of 13.40 without crossing the 50-mark even once in the series.
Hailing Virat's decision to play county cricket, Clarke said it only shows the 29-year old's passion to win and sends across a clear message to one and all that India will leave no stones unturned in trying to win in England.
"Virat is showing how much he cares about India becoming the best team in the world. The fact that he is going and playing county cricket is setting a clear message to his teammates, to England and everyone around the world that he wants India to have a successful tour of the UK and wants to lead from the front," he said.
"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," he added.
Clarke also backed the India skipper despite his team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faring poorly in the ongoing Indian Premier league (IPl), stating the right-hander has been in great form.
"He is batting beautifully, RCB is losing but he is I think No 5 in the highest run-getters list in the IPl."
The RCB skipper is fifth in the leading scorers' list with 396 runs from 10 games at 49.50.
Asked about India's chances in the World Cup next year, Clarke rated India as one of the favourites saying the one-day side is a superb mix of youth and experience.
"India will go into the World Cup as one of the favourites. The experience of the players will play a part. They have some wonderful spinners. India have a very strong ODI team. They have so many match-winners. In 2015, we won the World Cup because we had match winners," he said.
"I don't think the team is missing anything. They have got it right there. I think it's about preparation and form and playing your best cricket at the right time.
"You have got the experience. I feel MS Dhoni has to be part of that World Cup squad. It's a good mixture of youth and experience," he added.
Clarke also pointed out that the IPl has so many Indian captains and that is a huge advantage.
"What it means is when India select their 11 players or 15 players for the squad, you are assured some of those players will use their leadership experience into the Indian setup and that's what you want," the former Kangaroo skipper pointed out.
clarke on d/n Test
Terming this as a "chance" for India to script their first-ever Test series win Down Under, former Australia captain Michael Clarke on Wednesday said India had their reasons to back out of a Day/Night match during their tour later this year.
"I think India feel like they know the conditions that will suit them best to beat Australia. Remember India have never beaten Australia ever in Australia. This is their chance," Clarke said at an interactive session at the Indian Chamber of Commerce & Young leaders Forum (YlF) here.
The BCCI had officially informed Cricket Australia that Virat Kohli and Co would not engage in any pink ball Test during their tour Down Under. India are slated to play three Tests against Australia, starting from December 10. There would be three T20 internationals prior to that.
CA wanted to continue with their recent tradition of playing the opening Test at Adelaide from December 6-10 under lights.
The Indian team management headed by chief coach Ravi Shastri though had intimated the Committee of Administrators (CoA) that the team will take at least 18 months to prepare for the Day/Night Test.
Explaining the rationale behind India not wanting to play in white flannels under floodlights, Clarke said: "If India play during the day, the wicket is flatter and spin a little bit more. At night there is no spin, there is moisture and bit more movement."
"So India prefer to take their chances during the day like they have played every other Test match throughout their careers."
"So I can understand why they are not wanting to play D/N test matches," said the 37-year-old who skippered Australia to the 2015 World Cup.
Clarke though backed the Day-Night Tests, saying this is the future and would engage more fans watching the game.
"I do believe for the game, particularly in the summer of Australia, to get people watching on television we are going to see a lot more D/N Test matches moving forward and probably around the world."