India in Perth: WACA Ground privacy measures increased, construction workers banned from watching training

India have doubled down on their drastic security measures at the WACA Ground after The West Australian revealed it had banned staff members from using their phones and using parts of the precinct. The West can now confirm construction workers at the redevelopment of the the northern part of the ground have also been banned from filming and even watching the training sessions. India trained at the ground for the first time on Tuesday afternoon, without megastars Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. They had covered one side of the nets in black tarp, but The West’s cameras captured the session, which did include Test guns Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. They expected to train again on Wednesday afternoon, with Kohli likely to hit balls for the first time on tour. But more black tarp has been placed around the nets, now on the Nelson Crescent side of the training facility between the WACA and Gloucester Park. It means a handful of Perth net bowlers are among the only outsiders allowed any access to India’s top-secret training camp. The West revealed on Monday India’s arrival in Perth was clouded in so much intrigue that not even Cricket Australia officials were across the details. It’s the highest level of security around a visiting sporting squad since English Premier League giant Manchester United toured in 2022. India put in place similar security measures when they were based in Perth ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup, but they did make two practice games against a WA invitational team open to the public on that tour. On that trip, Crown Perth stood down a contractor after an employee allegedly filmed themselves in Kohli’s hotel room. Kohli posted the video alongside a long statement expressing his outrage at the “fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy”. The batting star, likely on his final Test tour of Australia, is among his country’s biggest celebrity figures and is adored to the point where his movements are limited by loitering fans. The lockdown comes just days after Kohli vented his frustration with photographers in Mumbai, asking them not to take pictures of his children with his wife, Bollywood superstar Anushka Sharma. Video footage shows Kohli telling the paparazzi: “Udhar camera nahi karna (Don’t point your cameras there).” Adding to the tension around the first Test is a war of words between new India coach Gautam Gambhir and Australian legend Ricky Ponting. The batting great put the heat on Kohli to return to form in this series and said he was staggered by his poor recent record. The call left Gambhir furious and the former Indian opener hit back. “What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should be talking about Australia,” he said. “Look, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still passionate about the game and want to achieve more. “They are hungry for success and have done exceptionally well for the country over the years.” On Tuesday night, Ponting told 7NEWS he would shake Gambhir’s hand “if he came my way” in Perth, but said the pair “have history” that dates back to their playing days. The group training in Perth this week does not include Test captain Rohit Sharma, who has remained in India as he awaits the birth of his child. Sharma is in doubt for The West Test at Optus Stadium from November 22. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah would captain in his absence.