Sarfaraz Khan's unconventional fielding surprised Virat Kohli. Rishabh Pant's reaction went viral – see

Sarfaraz Khan's unorthodox fielding style left Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel laughing during the Indian cricket team's practice session ahead of the first Test against Australia starting on Friday in Perth. In a video going viral on social media, Sarfaraz took a catch very close to his face while fielding on the slip cordon. Kohli was surprised by his catching style while Rishabh Pant could not control himself and fell on the ground laughing. Even Sarfaraz joined in the fun as the Indian cricket team stars shared a fun joke before resuming catching practice.

Former all-rounder Shane Watson has advised the Australian team to avoid a clash with Virat Kohli in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he feels the intensity that the famous Indian batsman derives from provocation brings out the best in him.

Kohli, who has been struggling with poor form, has had great success in Australia in the past and will be looking to find his rhythm in the five-match Test series starting at the Optus Stadium on Friday.

What did Sarfaraz do?#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/P2PgQ5KAJX

-Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) 19 November 2024

Provocating the mainstay of the Indian batting has often proved counterproductive for the Australian players and Watson has experienced this himself.

Watson was quoted as saying, “One thing I know about Virat is… because the fire inside him burns so bright and deep, the intensity he brings to every ball in the game is supernatural. Is.” Willow Talk Podcast.

“But, in recent times there have been moments when the fire in this career has started to die out because it is very difficult to maintain that intensity in every moment I am involved in the game.

“And, that's where Australia will have to leave him alone and hope he doesn't bring intensity – nine out of 10 intensity – to every ball.” Kohli has played 13 Tests in Australia since 2011, scoring 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08, including six centuries and four fifties, with his highest score being 169.

While this will be his fifth tour Down Under in the longest format, Kohli's best performance came during the 2014–15 series when he scored 692 runs in four Test matches at an average of 86.50, which included four centuries and one half-century.

These remarkable numbers don't overshadow Watson.

“We've seen when he's had success in Australia, he's on the up and up for everything in between. He's up for every single moment of every ball.

“You can see the fierce intensity he brings, and if he gets that, it shuts down everything else. That's when he's at his best.

“If there's something going on around and there's not that intensity, you're not going to see the best version of Virat. So from an Australian perspective, hopefully we get to see that version of him,” Watson said. ,

Kohli's performance in the red ball format this year was not good and he could score only 70 runs in six Test matches at an average of 22.72.

(With PTI inputs)