Virat Kohli to have 'special team meeting' before leaving Australia

Team India dramatically collapsed in the second innings of the Adelaide Test against Australia eventually conceding an early lead in the four-match series. To make things worse, skipper Virat Kohli is set to depart while Mohammed Shami has also been ruled out of the rest of the series. After registering their lowest total ever in Tests, no wonder the morale of the Indian team members will be low.

For the same reason, Virat Kohli will be having a special team meeting before leaving Australia. He will be addressing the entire team in collective session, initiated by coach Ravi Shastri, on Monday. The 32-year-old will also have one on one sessions with each member in the team. The whole purpose of this act is to lift the morale of the team ahead of the Boxing Day Test and for the rest of the series as well.

“We have lost one game very badly but 3 tests are still remaining. Virat will try to motivate the team members by addressing them collectively and individually. The morale of the team will surely be lifted by this, the message would be straight that no matter what captain will always be on their side,” a source close the team management told InsideSport.

Ajinkya Rahane will also speak to team members

Ajinkya Rahane, for the first time, will be leading for the major part of the series. He has led the side twice in Tests, against Australia at home and against Afghanistan, and has come out with flying colours. But the situation is different this time around. The reports further suggest even he will speak to each team member personally and discuss the roles and responsibilities.

The source also further added that Virat Kohli will be in touch with the entire team through the WhatsApp group during his break. The second Test between Australia and India is set to commence on December 26 and the visitors are expected to make a lot of changes to their playing XI.