English cricket legend Michael Vaughan has revealed Indian captain Virat Kohli gave up his business seats to Perth to allow the Indian pace attack a more room on their flight from Adelaide.
It may have only been a three-hour flight but it was a classy gesture for a man who cricket writer Robert Craddock called “the most influential man in the game” on Fox Cricket’s Cricket 360 following the end of the first Test.
Kohli is also married to Anushka Sharma, an Indian actress and film producer who is one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in India.
Making the gesture even sweeter is the fact today is their first wedding anniversary.
The Indian pace attack had plenty of work to do in the Test, bowling a combined 123.4 overs in the match, including 63 in the second innings.
Fox Cricket commentator Neroli Meadows also recounted the exchange.
Kohli has long been a man Australians love to hate with several fiery exchanges over the years.
But audiences have seen a softer side to the Indian star with his interview with Fox Cricket’s Adam Gilchrist revealing a different side to the superstar.
“I am massively different from the first two tours (of Australia), especially the first when I was so bad,” Kohli said in the interview.
“I did not have a good understanding of where to draw the line. Those are things I would not say I regret but things I look at as mistakes but that were important for me to commit so I could learn from them.”
Kohli also spoke about the difference his wife Anushka had played in his life, saying, “she has helped me a lot.’’
See Kohli’s interview with Adam Gilchrist on Kayo Sports.
The pair celebrated their first wedding anniversary with a pair of social media messages.
WARNE BACKS SWAGGER FOR SECOND TEST
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne is keen for an Aussie all-rounder to take the pressure off our frontline quicks but it’s not Mitchell Marsh.
The Fox Cricket commentator has called for Marcus Stoinis to come into the side in place of Peter Handscomb.
Stoinis is in good form, having hit 85 in his last start for Western Australia against Victoria as well as taking a wicket in the first innings of the game.
Warne backed Stoinis’ swagger to earn a baggy green.
Speaking on Cricket 360, Warne said Stoinis would take the pressure off Starc, who was heavily criticised for his impact in the first Test.
“Perth, given what we are hearing it’s going to be a nice, fast bouncy pitch, so I would be making one change and that would be to bring in Marcus Stoinis who got and 85 in the last Shield match and a 60 in the Shield game before,” he said.
“But mainly it would be for his all-round capabilities. Just to relieve a little pressure off Starc — who might be able to bowl one less spell and be a little bit better.”
Stoinis’ WA teammate Mitch Marsh has also said he’s hopeful of a recall.
Marsh had a less than stellar return against Victoria with scores of 21 and 11, while going for 1-102 in the match.
But he’s not given up hope.
“I’m in the squad so I’d say that I’m a chance, it all really depends how the bowlers pull up,” Marsh said.
“The wicket had a fair bit in it last week when we (WA) played on it.
“Ultimately I think it will come down to the conditions and how the bowlers pull up.
“If the opportunity arises, it would be amazing, but if not I’m still going to be around the squad.”
LANGER EXPECTS BLAST FROM THE PAST
Coach Justin Langer expects the Perth Stadium wicket will provide plenty of pace and bounce for Australia’s quicks as the hosts look to level the Test series against India.
Australia’s pace unit were outperformed by a vastly improved Indian attack in Adelaide as the tourists claimed a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series.
The hosts’ bid to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy rests upon avoiding defeat in the second Test starting on Friday, where the Perth wicket remains something of an unknown.
Just one first-class match has been played at the new stadium — when NSW beat Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield last month.
Bowlers were able to gain significant seam movement from the drop-in wicket during that contest, with the pitch generally praised for its pace and bounce.
WA paceman Jhye Richardson snared 8-47 in a first-innings masterclass.
Perth Stadium curator Brett Sipthorpe is set to unveil a grassy wicket for the second Test, and predicts the team winning the toss will send the opposition in to bat.
Sipthorpe said the match may not go all five days given the favourable conditions for bowlers.
Langer hopes the wicket can replicate the conditions at the WACA, which was famous for its pace and bounce.
“I’m really fascinated and can’t wait to see what the Optus wicket brings,” Langer said.
“I went and watched a bit of the game, NSW versus WA. Certainly some pace and bounce.
“We’ve (also) seen some pace and bounce in it during the one-dayers and T20 game.”
Langer has declared Tim Paine a certain starter for the second Test despite the skipper’s injury scare on Monday.
Paine was struck on his right index finger while batting in the 31-run loss in Adelaide.
It is the same finger Paine has needed seven operations on over seven years.
“Painey is the toughest pretty boy I’ve ever met in my life,” Langer said. “Even if it was snapped in about four places he’d still be right. He’s absolutely fine.
“He’s obviously had issues with it before but he is 100 per cent ready to go.”
Langer praised the fighting spirit his team displayed in the first Test, but said they needed to build bigger batting partnerships.
The 50-run partnership between Pat Cummins and Travis Head in the first innings was Australia’s largest of the match.
With all-rounder Mitch Marsh failing to fire in WA’s Sheffield Shield draw with Victoria, Australia are expected to field the same XI for the second Test against India.
Langer said pace trio Mitchell Starc, Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood all pulled up really well, and that veteran Peter Siddle would be on standby merely as a precaution.
— AAP
Sign up to Kayo Sports today to relive the dramatic first Test or watch the Cricket 360 or any of the other great cricket related content, including Adam Gilchrist’s full interview with Virat Kohli.
Enjoy sports coverage like never before with Kayo Sports, offering more than 50 sports for streaming for just $ 25 per month for two devices at once, or $ 35 for three screens. It’s currently available on Apple and Telstra TV, for Apple and Google Android smartphones, on web browsers and via Google Chromecast Ultra devices. Click here to trial it free for 14 days.
Kayo Sports will also have an exclusive Hindi commentary option led by Sunil Gavaskar and Harbhajan Singh for the second Test starting Friday.
