Virat Kohli Misses Key Practice as India Gears Up for Border-Gavaskar Opener

As the India national cricket team intensifies its preparations for the much-anticipated five-match Test series against Australia, a notable absence has raised eyebrows. Virat Kohli, one of India's most celebrated cricketers, was not present at the team's practice session at the WACA in Perth, ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 opener.

Kohli, who was the first among the Indian contingent to arrive in Australia, touched down with his family, including his wife, Anushka Sharma, and their two children. The opening Test is slated to commence on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. A source from the Times of India confirmed Kohli's early arrival, aiming to acclimatize to Australian conditions, which have historically favored his batting style.

The practice session saw other key players, such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, honing their skills. In a video shared by a Forbes journalist on social media platform X, the duo was seen rigorously training, yet Kohli's absence was conspicuous.

The Perth pitch is expected to benefit fast bowlers, making Yashasvi Jaiswal's role crucial for the visitors. Jaiswal, currently the second-highest run-scorer in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, has already accumulated an impressive 1,407 runs in 26 innings at an average of 56.28, including two double centuries. With captain Rohit Sharma unavailable for the series opener, Jaiswal's performance will be pivotal.

Kohli's recent form has been a topic of discussion. In his last outing, during the three-Test series against New Zealand, Kohli managed to score just 93 runs across six innings, averaging a lowly 15.50 and recording only one half-century. Despite this, his record on Australian soil remains formidable. The 36-year-old has amassed 1,352 runs in 25 innings in Australia, with an average of 54.08, including six centuries and four half-centuries.

As the series opener draws near, Kohli's absence from the practice session has sparked speculation, though it remains unclear if this will impact his participation in the first Test. His experience and past performances on Australian pitches could be crucial for India's aspirations in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The cricketing world keenly awaits the start of this iconic series, with fans eager to see if Kohli can replicate his past successes on Australian soil and lead India to a strong start in the series.