India vs Australia: Virat Kohli makes his intent clear in India’s first practice session

Kohli,
as
often
is
the
case,
was
among
the
first
ones
who
headed
into
the
nets.
The
focus
was
clearly
on
playing
the
short
ball
as
he
faced
a
barrage
of
rising
deliveries
in
his
45-minute
session.
Having
roared
back
to
form
with
a
much
awaited
hundred
in
Asia
Cup,
the
spring
in
Kohli’s
stride
was
palpable.

The
star
batter
had
stepped
out
to
even
the
likes
of
Rashid
Khan
in
the
Asia
Cup
displaying
supreme
confidence.
He
was
in
a
similar
mindset
in
the
nets
on
Sunday,
charging
down
to
the
spinners
for
those
straight
hits
down
the
ground.
He
struck
that
hundred
against
Afghanistan
as
an
opener,
igniting
the
debate
over
his
batting
slot.

Whether
he
bats
at
the
top
or
his
usual
number
three
spot,
Kohli
realises
the
need
to
attack
from
the
get
go
in
the
shortest
format.
Kohli
is
ready
to
get
out
of
his
comfort
zone
to
follow
the
team’s
new
template
and
a
rare
sweep
shot
during
the
Asia
Cup
is
a
testimony
to
that.

One
of
his
finest
T20
innings,
82
not
out
versus
Australia
in
the
2016
World
T20,
came
here
at
his
very
ground
and
now
with
his
form
and
confidence
back,
fans
can
expect
another
special
knock
from
him
against
the
same
opponents
on
Tuesday.

PCA
to
unveil
Yuvraj
and
Harbhajan
stands
before
toss

The
Punjab
Cricket
Association
will
be
unveiling
the
stands
named
after
two
of
its
star
cricketers,
Yuvraj
Singh
and
Harbhajan
Singh,
an
hour
before
the
match
start
on
Tuesday.

The
south
pavillion
has
been
named
after
one
of
India’s
greatest
spinners
Harbhajan
and
north
pavillion
after
2011
World
Cup
hero
Yuvraj,
“We
have
taken
initiative
to
honour
all
the
star
players
of
Punjab.
It
happens
in
other
associations
and
we
thought
we
should
also
honour
two
iconic
cricketers
from
Punjab,”
PCA
secretary
Dilsher
Khanna
told
PTI.

“What
better
way
than
having
a
stand
in
their
name.
The
unveiling
will
take
place
before
the
start
of
game.”