The Virat Kohli fever has hit the Australian media after the Indian batting maestro landed in Perth 10 days before the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Kohli, the enduring face of Indian cricket, made a grand impact upon his arrival in Perth for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, capturing the front pages in a group of Australian newspapers. In a surprise move that delighted fans, the media featured his image with headlines printed in Hindi and Punjabi, a nod to his immense popularity and the cultural significance of the upcoming series.
The newspaper had a special full-page poster of Virat Kohli and columns on why the Border Gavaskar Trophy is the new Ashes and the match-ups to look forward to in the five-Test series. It also had stories about Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, hyping the two youngsters up for the big battle Down Under. The front page bore a bold Hindi headline, “Yugon ki ladai” (translated as “Fight for the ages”), while a separate article spotlighted young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal with the Punjabi headline “Navam Raja” or “The New King.”
The Aussie media’s special Kohli gesture has left Australian sports journalists pleasantly surprised. This comes a day after Pakistan’s interim white-ball head coach Jason Gillespie slammed Cricket Australia for giving all attention to the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy and overlooking the T20I series.
Kohli landed in Perth on Sunday evening, joining his Test teammates two weeks before India’s series opener at Optus Stadium from November 22 to 26. With training set to begin at the WACA Ground, Indian fans are eager to see how Kohli will prepare for this fresh challenge against Australia. However, the Indian team’s practice sessions will be held behind closed doors, with the venue on lockdown to maintain privacy. Originally scheduled for a three-day warm-up match against India A, the game was canceled over injury concerns. This adjustment allows the team to focus on preparing at their own pace without risking player health ahead of the first Test.
Australia, fielding a restructured lineup, is expected to present a new dynamic in the series. Nathan McSweeney, set to open alongside Usman Khawaja, and Josh Inglis, slated as backup wicketkeeper, will bring fresh energy to the Australian camp. At 36, Kohli faces not only a talented Australian side but also the challenge of overcoming recent form issues. His home-season series against New Zealand ended with a 0-3 whitewash, marking his lowest batting average at home in seven years. Scoring just 93 runs at an average of 15.50, Kohli’s performance drew widespread criticism, adding a layer of pressure as he heads into the Border-Gavaskar series.