Virat Kohli Takes Over Australian Newspapers: Media Celebrates Arrival with Special Hindi Headlines

An Australian newspaper went all out on Virat Kohli’s arrival in Perth, using headlines in Hindi and Punjabi to welcome the cricket star. Virat Kohli, a defining figure in Indian cricket for over a decade, was once again front and center on Australian newspapers as he landed in Perth on Sunday, two weeks before the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli’s early arrival was treated as a major event, with some publications even using Hindi and Punjabi fonts to hype up the five-Test series starting November 22.

Images of the newspaper front page quickly went viral on social media, shared by Indian fans who spotted Kohli’s face alongside a headline in Hindi reading, "Yugon ki ladai" (Fight for the Ages). The same publication also included a section in Punjabi with an article on young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, titled "Navam Raja" (The New King).

Kohli, who recently turned 36, was the first Indian player to arrive in Perth. He was followed by a small group of players who flew in later, while the remaining team members, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, departed from Mumbai on Monday. However, there is still no confirmation about India’s captain Rohit Sharma's availability for the series opener.

Kohli heads into the series with much to prove following a disappointing home season that ended with a 0-3 defeat against New Zealand. In that series, he scored only 93 runs with an average of 15.50, his lowest in a home series in the last seven years. However, Australia could be the perfect opponent for Kohli to rebound. With over 2000 runs in 25 Tests against the Aussies, he has an impressive record and a clear motivation to return to form.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting expressed concerns over Kohli's recent form, noting that any top-order batsman would struggle to retain his position after scoring only three centuries in five years. However, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir backed Kohli during a pre-departure press conference, stating, "What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should focus on Australian cricket. I have no concerns about Virat and Rohit; they are tough men who have achieved great things and will continue to do so."

Despite Gambhir's support, Kohli faces a critical test, with the series in Australia potentially shaping the future of his Test career.