First Indian Player to Land
Star cricketer Virat Kohli has arrived in Perth as part of the Indian squad preparing for the first Test against Australia, starting November 22. Kohli was the first player from the large Indian contingent to touch down in Australia, quickly making his way from the airport to begin preparations for the upcoming series.
Team Departure in Batches
The Indian team is traveling in two batches for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first group, which includes players like Shubman Gill, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammad Siraj, is already en route, accompanied by coaching staff. The second batch is set to depart later today. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the participation of captain Rohit Sharma, who may remain in India due to the birth of his second child. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead the team.
Training Plans at WACA
The Indian squad is scheduled to begin training at the WACA ground from Tuesday, though the venue is currently under lockdown to maintain privacy for the team. Kohli’s early arrival allows him additional time to focus on his practice routines ahead of the challenging series.
Family Spotting and Privacy Request
Kohli was spotted at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai late on Sunday night, accompanied by his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, and their children, Vamika and Akaay. As they arrived, Kohli requested that the paparazzi respect his family’s privacy, particularly regarding photographs of Anushka and the children. He posed for pictures himself before heading into the airport.
Support from Coach Gambhir
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has publicly supported Kohli and Rohit Sharma amidst criticism from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Recently, Ponting remarked on Kohli’s form, suggesting that other players would not have retained their spots with just two centuries in five years. Kohli, eager to silence critics, aims to regain his scoring form in the upcoming matches against Australia.
