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Virat Kohli praised for selfless gesture ahead of Perth Test

England cricket great and commentator Michael Vaughan has praised Indian captain Virat Kohli’s selfless gesture for his teammates after their epic win in Adelaide.

The victorious Indians made their way to Perth on Tuesday after hanging on for a gripping 31-run win in the series-opening Test against Australia.

Kohli and his wife were booked into business class seats for the flight from Adelaide to Perth.

However, in a touch of class that demonstrates his growing leadership, the skipper and his famous wife – actress and movie producer Anushka Sharma – decided to give up their seats to members of the Indian bowling attack.

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Kohli has been praised after a selfless gesture for his teammates. Pic: Getty
Kohli has been praised after a selfless gesture for his teammates. Pic: Getty

Vaughan – who was also travelling on the flight as part of his commentary duties – witnessed the gesture and took to social media to congratulate the visiting captain.

“Witnessed @imVkohli & his wife give up their Business class seats to allow the Quicks more comfort & space on the trip from Adelaide – Perth !! Danger Australia .. Not only are the quicks more relaxed .. The Skipper is managing his troops with great human touches,” tweeted out Vaughan.

Kohli reserved special praise for his bowlers after picking up 20 Australian wickets – albeit somewhat nervously at the end of day five.

“They are at their peak, all of them together and it’s something that we as batsman look at as an opportunity to put in good performances,” Kohli said.

Australia’s pace unit were outperformed by the vastly improved Indian attack in Adelaide, with the hosts’ bid to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy resting upon avoiding defeat in the second Test, starting on Friday.

Just one first-class match has been played at the new Perth 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.

Australia coach Justin Langer hopes the wicket can replicate the conditions at the WACA, which was famous for its pace and bounce.

Langer admits he doesn’t know what to expect from the Perth wicket. Pic: Getty
Langer admits he doesn’t know what to expect from the Perth wicket. Pic: Getty

“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.”

Aussie pace trio Mitchell Starc, Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood all pulled up well after the Adelaide Test, with veteran Peter Siddle on standby as a precaution for Perth.

With AAP