As India’s preparations for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 gather pace, Virat Kohli showed his unwavering determination during the team’s first training session at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Tuesday, November 19.
Despite India’s first practice session being cut short by rain in Perth, the venue for the high-octane five-match Test series opener against Australia, Virat Kohli refused to leave the net as he continued to bat long after his teammates took cover.
Virat Kohli shows unwavering focus in training for Sarhad-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Notably, the Indian cricket team has been training at the WACA since last Wednesday, with a three-day intramural match against India A providing crucial practice ahead of the series opener.
However, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill were injured in the three-day international against India. Shubman Gill will miss the first Test in Perth due to a thumb injury, while Indian captain Rohit Sharma will also miss the opening match of the Test series. for personal reasons.
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However, KL Rahul recovered quickly and resumed his batting two days later and is set to go to the Optus Stadium. Rahul impressed the Indian team management with his form during a training session at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Tuesday.
Virat Kohli is showing relentless determination ahead of the first Test in Perth
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, who is under immense pressure to deliver in the hunt region after a lean patch with the bat, is looking to silence his critics and prove his worth in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The 36-year-old right-hander was seen working hard in the nets and looked focused and determined during India’s practice net on Tuesday. Even as rain forced an early halt to India’s practice session, Kohli’s commitment stood out at the Optus Stadium.
While other Indian players sought cover, the former Indian skipper remained in the nets and had quite a long batting session as he seemed determined to make the most of every moment to surprise his critics. Kohli was eventually forced to stop only when the rain intensified.
He looked solid both in the nets and in the intramurals. Just two days before the first Test, Kohli’s ruthless approach to training sends a strong message that he is ready for the challenges ahead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.
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Virat Kohli is on the verge of making history in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is on the verge of making history in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. If the dashing cricketer can manage at least one century in the next five Test matches, he will overtake Sachin Tendulkar to become the Indian batsman with the most centuries in Australia.
Tendulkar played 20 Test matches for Australia and scored six centuries during his illustrious career. Kohli, on the other hand, has played just 13 matches Down Under and has already matched the legendary cricketer’s tally of six tons.
The record for most Test centuries by any visiting batsman in Australia is held by England’s Jack Hobbs, who scored nine centuries in 24 matches in the format. Kohli is also looking forward to another milestone. If he scores two centuries in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, he will surpass former Australian captain Ricky Ponting for the most Test centuries against India in Australia.
Ponting ended his career with seven centuries from 15 Test matches. Kohli has a strong chance to surpass both Ponting and Tendulkar in the upcoming Test series between India and Australia and further cement his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.
