 |
|
The anticipation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series between India and Australia is building, and star batsman Virat Kohli has commenced his preparations for the crucial clash. Having arrived in Perth, Australia, alongside his family, Kohli was spotted practicing at the WACA Ground, the secondary venue in Perth, before the first Test commences at the Optus Stadium on November 22nd.
Kohli's recent form has been a cause for concern, with a meager 93 runs scored during the recent home Test series against New Zealand. However, he is known for his prowess on Australian soil, boasting an impressive record of 1352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08. He has also notched six centuries and four half-centuries in Australia, with his highest score of 169 achieved at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2014.
The practice session at WACA saw Kohli donning full padding and facing a barrage of short-pitched deliveries on the bouncy practice tracks. Viral videos captured Kohli's intense training, showcasing his focus on combating the challenges posed by the Australian pace attack. The footage dispelled rumors that Kohli was neglecting his practice.
India's training session on Wednesday witnessed Kohli as the main attraction. While he was absent from the nets on Tuesday, the likes of Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and other left-handed batsmen honed their skills against local pace bowlers. Kohli's focus on Tuesday was primarily on facing back-of-a-length deliveries and full deliveries, and he appeared sharp and in control. Pant and Jaiswal also exhibited aggressive batting during their Tuesday session.
However, a report in ESPNcricinfo revealed that Pant sustained a blow to his body during the Tuesday training session. The report further disclosed that the Indian team has been training behind a black cloth at the WACA, opting for a greater degree of privacy. The presence of the black cloth, strategically placed outside the nets, provided a sense of seclusion for the team. While fans were able to catch glimpses of the training session through vantage points on Tuesday, the vantage points were covered with cloth on Wednesday, and security measures were intensified as Kohli and other senior players took to the nets.
The Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar series includes Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar. The series promises to be an exciting clash between two cricketing giants, with the Indian team eager to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Source: Rishabh Pant Hit On Body, Virat Kohli Tested In Nets As India Train Behind Black Cloth