Virat Kohli clashes with fans as Indian cricket star departs for Australia ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Cricket superstar Virat Kohli was swarmed by fans as he departed India, believed to be on his way to Perth.

Kohli was expected to touch down in Australia on Sunday evening ahead of his Test teammates, less than a fortnight out from the blockbuster first match of the Australian summer at Optus Stadium.

The 36-year-old left Mumbai on November 10 ahead of the first of a five-match series in the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy on November 22-26.

After a confrontation with fans asking for selfies, Kohli lashed out at photographers taking pictures of his wife and children.

India are expected to train at the WACA Ground in the coming weeks after a three-day match against India A was scrapped over injury concerns.

Kohli arrived in Australia under scrutiny following a poor performance in New Zealand’s 3-0 whitewash in the sub-continent.

The former Test skipper, believed to be in the twilight of his illustrious career, scored only 93 runs across six innings. His average of 15.5 was his worst in a series of at least three Tests since the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Kohli missed the majority of India’s last Test tour of Australia for the birth of his child, which the visitors won 2-1 following a famous victory in Brisbane.

India will face a new-look Australian side in the West Test, with Nathan McSweeney to open alongside Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, while Josh Inglis has been named in the squad as back-up gloveman.