(Image source from: Nationalheraldindia.com)
It has been quite a while since Virat Kohli last played – exactly 81 days. He did not participate in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, having revealed his retirement from Test cricket a month before the series began, and he will also miss the Asia Cup since he said goodbye to T20Is last year. Kohli’s upcoming challenge is in Australia, where the Indian team will take part in three ODIs and five T20Is. Everyone will be watching Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney on October 19, 23, and 25 as Kohli returns to his favorite format, aiming to prove his worth for the 2027 World Cup and show that he still has a lot to offer. At 36, Kohli has more cricket behind him than ahead of him. However, whatever he has left to give, Kohli will make sure it meets the high standards he has set for himself. True, he may not be the powerful Test player he used to be, and he may not create moments like the 82 not out against Pakistan at the MCG in T20s anymore, but he still has what it takes to succeed in a run chase or set one up in ODIs. A few months back, India might have struggled to win the ICC Champions Trophy if not for his century against Pakistan and an impressive 84 against Australia in a tough run chase.
Therefore, to get ready for his eagerly awaited return, Kohli is working very hard. A couple of weeks ago, he shared a sneak peek of his return to cricket by posting a picture with the assistant coach of the Gujarat Titans after a successful practice session. This happened just after a report suggested that the series in Australia might be Kohli’s last with India. Kohli, in his own way, dismissed that talk, but now that it is resurfacing, the former India captain has quietly sent another strong message to the BCCI. He is not finished yet. A report from RevSportz states that earlier this week, Kohli was back in the indoor batting area at Lord’s, where he practiced for two hours with Naeem Amin. This should not surprise anyone. Along with his previous Instagram post, another image of Kohli with a fan has recently appeared online. While he took a picture, he wore the same training shirt, showing that he is consistently putting in the hard work without seeking too much attention. So, believing that he spent two hours practicing should not come as a shock.
Nevertheless, what he accomplished during his training attracted the attention of those watching. Kohli appeared intensely driven, focusing not just on the small details of his batting but also on the bigger picture. He received throwdowns from different positions. Whether facing fast bowling or spin, Kohli batted as if he were playing for India for the first time. One thing you can always rely on with Kohli is that he will give nothing less than his all. In recent years, Kohli and practice sessions have been closely linked. He was always putting in the effort during the home matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand earlier this year and showed no signs of stepping back during the tour to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli’s return to Indian cricket is still 57 days away. However, when he does come back, he will step into the place where his Test career concluded. Kohli has an impressive record in ODIs in Australia, with 1327 runs in 29 matches at an average of 51.04, which includes five centuries. Anything less than two centuries in three games wouldn’t satisfy his ambition.
At the beginning of this month, when a photo of Kohli with a noticeable white beard appeared, fans became worried. Kohli was correct when he mentioned that he now needs to color his beard every 3 to 4 days. But do not let those grey hairs deceive you. The King is on his way back, and he has never been more eager.
