After returning from a family trip in London, Virat Kohli jumped straight into training mode upon arriving in Chennai. The former captain of Team India wasted no time getting back into form, batting intensely for about 45 minutes during the team's first training session ahead of the two-Test series against Bangladesh, which is set to commence on September 19.
Kohli joined the team’s practice session at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, a venue where he has enjoyed a successful career. This will be his first Test match in Chennai since 2021, adding an extra layer of significance to the series. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, along with assistant coach Abhishek Sharma and newly appointed bowling coach Morne Morkel, was present to oversee the preparations. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah also made a strong impression during the session, contributing to the high intensity of the practice.
Kohli's return to Chennai is noteworthy because his performances at this venue have been exceptional. He boasts a career average of 44.50 at this ground, with a total of 267 runs including a memorable century scored in his debut Test in Chennai against Australia in 2013. The venue holds special significance for Kohli, making this upcoming match all the more poignant.
The training camp in Chennai is a rare and extended preparation period ahead of a home season, reflecting the importance of the upcoming series. Following a month-long break after the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka, the key players, including Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, arrived in Chennai in phases. Other squad members such as KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Axar Patel reached the city from Bengaluru and Anantapur, having participated in the Duleep Trophy first-class tournament.
Gautam Gambhir, who is steering the team as head coach for his first red-ball cricket assignment, will be looking to make a significant impact. After the Bangladesh Tests, India will face New Zealand in a three-match series and will then travel to Australia for a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This period, spanning from September 2024 to January 2025, will see India play a total of ten Test matches.
Gambhir and his team are eager to bounce back from a surprising 2-0 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka in August. With critical World Test Championship points on the line, India aims to secure a place in the final for the third consecutive cycle. Currently, India leads the World Test Championship standings with 68.52 percentage points, while Australia is in close pursuit with 62.50 percentage points. The upcoming series will be crucial in maintaining India's strong position and ensuring their continued success in the championship.
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