In a show of commitment, former India captain Virat Kohli arrived in Perth on Sunday evening, two weeks before the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series begins on November 22. Kohli’s early arrival aims to help him acclimatize to the conditions and prepare ahead of the rest of the squad, who are expected to arrive in two groups.

Before his departure, Kohli was seen at Mumbai airport with his wife, Anushka Sharma, and their children. A video of him requesting the paparazzi to respect his family’s privacy quickly gained attention online.
Uncertainty, however, continues around India captain Rohit Sharma’s availability for the opening Test. Reports suggest that Rohit may miss the Perth match as he awaits the birth of his second child, though head coach Gautam Gambhir has not provided confirmation, stating, “Hopefully, he’ll be available, but we’ll have more clarity as the series nears.”
If Rohit is unavailable, Jasprit Bumrah, appointed vice-captain, will take on the leadership role. Gambhir also indicated that India has multiple options for the opening spot, with KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran as potential candidates. “We’ll finalize the XI closer to the match,” Gambhir added.
India to Begin Training at WACA on Tuesday
According to The West Australian, India’s training for the series will start on Tuesday at Perth’s iconic WACA ground. The team’s practice sessions will be closed to the public, with the venue on lockdown for privacy. Originally, a practice match against India A was scheduled but was canceled due to injury concerns within the team. Instead, the squad will now focus on intensive match simulations at the WACA to prepare for the series.