Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has called himself a big fan of Virat Kohli. He praised the former India captain for his conduct on and off the field. Cook made these comments ahead of the Big Bash League match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades in Chennai on December 12. It will be the first BBL match played in India. Cook is set to attend the event.
Cook spoke to WION during a diplomatic visit. He was asked about his favourite Indian cricketer. He said he is a fan of Kohli for the way he represents the sport. He called Kohli one of the best cricketers in the world. He also described him as a gentleman who brings the spirit of cricket alive through his conduct.
Kohli has a huge global following. He remains a key player for India in ODI cricket. He retired from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup and from Tests in May 2025. He now plays only 50-over cricket internationally.
Kohli played 123 Tests and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. He scored 30 centuries and 31 fifties. He is India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. He is also India’s most successful Test captain. He led the team in 68 matches between 2014 and 2022 and won 40 of them. One of his biggest achievements was leading India to a Test series win in Australia in 2018-19. India became the first Asian side to achieve that.
Cook also spoke about the role of cricket in building ties between countries. He said sport plays a crucial role in relationships between communities and nations. He said cricket is like a religion in India and Australians are very passionate fans. So the sport has an even greater role to play. He said he is excited to bring the BBL to India for the first time. His team, Perth Scorchers, will play Melbourne Renegades in Chennai on December 12. He said he looks forward to being part of that great festival.
India will next face West Indies in a three-match ODI series. The first match is on September 27 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The second ODI is on September 30 in Guwahati. The final match is on October 3 in Mullanpur.
Adam Voges Backs Strong India Test Team Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australian batter Adam Voges expects India to field a strong Test team in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He said this even though India will be without retired stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The five-match series begins on January 21 in Nagpur. It will be the first time in a decade that India play a Test series without Kohli and Rohit.
Voges called it a changing of the guard. He said Kohli and Rohit have been pillars of the Indian Test team for a long time. So there is a transition happening. But he is not underestimating India. He said there is a lot of young and exciting talent coming through. He has always seen how much talent there is in India. He knows the Australian team will expect a very strong Indian side. He said it will be a great challenge.
Voges said Australia have a lot of Test cricket before they arrive in India. They are about to tour South Africa. They also have New Zealand at home. He said the Australian team is ageing and there will be some transition at some stage. He mentioned Cooper Connolly as a new player in the Test squad for South Africa. He said Connolly has a skill set that could be successful.
Voges also said Australian batters need to deliver more. He specifically mentioned Marnus Labuschagne. He said Labuschagne would admit his performances have not been where he would like them to be over the last 12 to 24 months. But he has another opportunity in South Africa.
Voges also spoke about the Big Bash League match in Chennai in December. Perth Scorchers will play Melbourne Renegades. He hopes this will not be a one-off event. He wants it to be the start of something long-lasting. He said every time he has been to Chepauk, it has been a sea of yellow or blue. He hopes they can add some orange shirts and win new fans. He also said the Scorchers have tried to model themselves on Chennai Super Kings. He praised CSK for their consistency and success in the IPL.
FAQs
Q. Who praised Virat Kohli as a cricket gentleman?
A. Western Australia Premier Roger Cook praised Kohli.
Q. When will the first BBL match in India be played?
A. Perth Scorchers will face Melbourne Renegades on December 12.
Q. When did Virat Kohli retire from Test cricket?
A. Kohli retired from Tests in May 2025.
Q. What does Adam Voges expect from India’s Test team?
A. Voges expects India to field a strong young team.
Q. When does the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy begin?
A. The five-match series begins on January 21 in Nagpur.
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