Virat Kohli becomes the first Indian player to reach Australia ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25: Reports
Team India's batting mainstay Virat Kohli has reportedly become the first from his side to land in Australia ahead of the high-voltage Test series, beginning on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. According to a source by the Times of India, the right-handed batter had left for the land Down Under before the first batch of players and reached Perth.
According to the report, Kohli was spotted at the Mumbai airport with his wife Anushka Sharma and two kids, obliging for selfies with fans before getting in. The former Indian skipper is firmly in focus, given his record in Tests against Australia. However, he has been out of form and registered only 93 runs in six innings against New Zealand with one half-century, making his tour of Australia much more decisive for his future.
Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar, and Yashasvi Jaiswal were the players leaving in the first batch on Sunday. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar was also spotted alongside them. Jasprit Bumrah, along with other members of the support staff and coach Gautam Gambhir will be leaving for Australia on Monday. Rohit Sharma is unlikely to leave with the team now and the call on his participation for the first Test is likely to be taken close to the opening Test.
"They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket" - Gautam Gambhir downplays concerns around Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
During a press conference on Monday, Gambhir brushed aside any concerns regarding the recent form of Kohli and Rohit. The former opener claimed that the veteran duo are still hungry to score runs and it matters for him the most. Gambhir said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
"I have got no concerns whatever over Virat and Rohit. I think they are incredibly tough men. They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket, and they will continue to achieve a lot in future as well.
"I think for me at the most important thing is that they still working really hard, they are still passionate, they still want to achieve a lot more and that is something which is very important. The hunger in that dressing room is incredibly important for me and for the entire group as well. I feel there's a lot of hunger, especially after what has happened in the last series."
In a wider context, India must beat Australia 4-0 to progress to the World Test Championship (WTC) final.