Kolkata,

Surprised by Virat Kohli’s decision to skip Afghanistan’s inaugural Test against India, Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke feels the Indian skipper should fly back from Surrey to play the historic one-off Test in Bengaluru. The Indian captain has decided to give the June 14-18 Test a miss to prepare for the England tour by playing for Surrey in the County Championship, a decision that has evoked a mixed response. Clarke said he always prioritised playing Test cricket, irrespective of the opposition. “I’m really surprised… I don’t know why, it’s Virat’s choice. I think a Test match is a Test match. I don’t care who we play against. It has to be your number one priority,” said the former Australia skipper. “To represent your country is the most special feeling in the world. I would like to see him fly back and play the Test, a bit of gap in the schedule can allow him to do that.”  Kohli had a forgettable England sojourn in 2014, making only 134 runs in five Tests at an average of 13.4. Clarke, however, backed Kohli’s decision to turn up for county cricket and said it will send a clear message about his goal to win in England. “Definitely it’s fantastic preparation and it shows his determination and how hungry he is to perform individually and how much he wants India to be successful. It’s sending a clear message to his teammates and England that he wants to have a successful tour of UK. He wants to win that series,” Clarke said. India know D-N Test won’t suit them: Clarke India will end the year touring Down Under where they have never won a Test series. Kohli and Co. feel they have a serious chance of posting their first ever Test series win in Australia, and that’s probably why they have refused to play a day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval. “Remember India have never beaten Australia in Australia. This is their chance and that’s exactly what Kohli, Ravi Shastri and all in Indian cricket would be thinking,” Clarke said. Clarke reasoned that the wickets are flatter and spin-oriented during the day, while at night there’s little spin and a bit more movement with moisture around.