Cover drive, front-foot defence, and … - Virat Kohli undergoes intense practice ahead of BGT, video goes viral

NEW DELHI: As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, Virat Kohli has emerged as the focal point of India’s preparations, with Australian media closely following his training sessions.A video that recently went viral captures the star batter intensely working on his technique at the WACA’s practice nets in Perth, where he is seen facing fast-bowling deliveries and refining key shots, particularly his cover drive and front-foot defensive stances.Kohli’s meticulous preparation also showcases his intent to make a strong impact in the series, set to start on November 22.Watch:The footage also shows India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, in action, bowling in full rhythm as he readies himself to challenge Australia’s top-order.Meanwhile, young talents Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan are also spotted sitting on water-carrying buckets and sharing a lighthearted moment on the pitchside.As reported earlier by TimesofIndia.com, Kohli was the first Indian player to touch down in Australia, eager to adapt to the conditions well ahead of the high-stakes series.His experience on Perth pitches, both at the iconic WACA and the newer Optus Stadium, gives him a blend of familiarity and formidable challenge. In his first Test in Perth back in 2012, Kohli demonstrated resilience with scores of 44 and 75, and in 2018, he famously scored a brilliant 123 at Optus Stadium while leading the team as captain.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy being pivotal in the World Test Championship standings, all eyes are on Kohli to potentially replicate his past success and anchor India’s batting lineup.