Virat Kohli’s bandaged knee sparks injury concerns ahead of pink-ball Test

India’s preparation for the crucial pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide faced a slight hiccup when star batsman Virat Kohli was spotted with a bandaged knee during practice. However, Kohli seemed unaffected, participating in fielding drills and net sessions without showing signs of discomfort.

Kohli was seen running on the field and batting against pink balls to fine-tune his game for the day-night Test. Despite his active participation, team management will be wary of any potential aggravation as Kohli remains a vital cog in India’s batting lineup.

The former captain did not feature in the warm-up game against Prime Ministers XI, instead focusing on net practice. Kohli has an excellent record at Adelaide, having scored 509 runs in eight innings at an average of 63.62, including three centuries. A fourth ton here would see him surpass England’s Jack Hobbs for most centuries by a visiting batter at the venue.

Kohli’s pink-ball record also inspires confidence. He is the only Indian to score a century in a day-night Test, an unbeaten 136 against Bangladesh in Kolkata in 2019. His consistency will be crucial as India aims to hand Australia their first loss in a pink-ball Test at Adelaide.

Meanwhile, other injury concerns have been eased. Shubman Gill returned to action in the warm-up match with a stylish fifty, dispelling doubts about his thumb injury. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also played but was dismissed cheaply, raising questions about his batting position in the second Test.

India’s victory in the warm-up match has boosted morale, but the focus now shifts to keeping key players like Kohli fully fit for the challenging series. As Kohli leads preparations, fans and management hope the bandaged knee remains a minor issue.