Kohli looking ‘ominous’ ahead of Australia Test series, India warn

PERTH: Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah insisted Thursday that India were carrying no baggage from their Test whitewash by New Zealand and warned Australia that star batsman Virat Kohli was looking “ominous”.

India head into the first of five Tests against Australia on Friday in Perth on the back of their first home series loss in 12 years. But speedster Bumrah, who will captain the side after Rohit Sharma stayed home following the birth of his second child, said they were only looking forward.

“Obviously, yes, we were disappointed and we were down that we had a tough series (against New Zealand). “But we are not carrying any baggages. We come with a fresh mindset, different opposition and you learn from the changes that have happened in our team.”

Kohli is certain to play, but will pad up under increasing scrutiny after managing only two Test centuries in the last five years and averaging just 15 against New Zealand. Bumrah cautioned that Kohli should never be written off. “He´s looking to contribute. And the way I´ve seen him at training ... the signs are ominous.”