India’s preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy began on Tuesday with their first training session taking place at Perth’s WACA ground. However, senior players Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah were notably absent from the nets, with reports indicating they had opted for rest following the cancellation of a mandatory practice session. Virat Kohli, who was the first to arrive in Perth on Sunday, joined other key players like Ravichandran Ashwin in sitting out of the optional training.
India’s first practice at the historic WACA occurred under heightened security measures, reminiscent of Manchester United-level protocols in Perth. This step was reportedly taken to ensure privacy and safety for the visiting team as they gear up for the Test series. The series opener is set to take place at the nearby Optus Stadium on November 22, less than two weeks away.
Among those attending Tuesday’s optional nets were KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. Social media posts by Australian journalists captured moments from the session, including Jaiswal hitting a massive six that soared over the practice ground and crossed the street without causing any damage or injury to anyone. The younger members’ engagement in practice highlighted the team’s commitment, even as some senior figures chose rest ahead of more intensive training sessions planned for Wednesday and Thursday at the WACA.
