Perth, October 19: Virat Kohli made his return to international cricket for the first time since Indiaā€™s Champions Trophy victory, as the Men in Blue face hosts Australia in the opening ODI of the three-match series at Optus Stadium. Ahead of the first game, Kohli, who has retired from the T20Is and Test cricket, mentioned that he has kept himself fit despite a long gap in playing.Ā Virat Kohli Wicket Video: Watch Mitchell Starc Dismiss Star Indian Batter For a Duck in IND vs AUS 1st ODI 2025.

Speaking to Fox Sports during a chat with Ravi Shastri and Adam Gilchrist before the first ODI, the former India captain said, "Well, to be honest, the amount of cricket Iā€™ve played over the last 15-20 years, Iā€™ve actually not rested at all, if that makes sense. Iā€™ve probably played the most number of games in the last 15 years in international cricket, combining the IPL together as well. So for me, it was a very refreshing time off."

While many experts and pundits believed Kohliā€™s fitness was a concern ahead of his return to competitive cricket, the 36-year-old said that he was feeling ā€˜fitter than ever,ā€™ adding that itā€™s all about physical preparation because mentally, he knew ā€˜what to do.ā€™Ā Virat Kohli Memes Go Viral After Mitchell Starc Dismisses Star Indian Batter for Duck During IND vs AUS 1st ODI 2025.

Virat Kohli on His Rest and Feeling Fit Ahead of IND vs AUS 1st ODI 2025

ā€œIā€™m feeling as fit, if not fitter than Iā€™ve ever been before, and yeah, you can just feel the freshness when you know you can play the game, and mentally you know what to do out there itā€™s just the physical preparation that really needs to be taken care of,ā€ he added.

ā€œAt this stage I realised that if my body is fit, if my reflexes are there then the game awareness is already there, my body has to match up with it and thatā€™s something that I try to keep up with, I live my life like that and yeah no issues at all, Iā€™m feeling fresh here coming into Australia and moving really well in the nets and in the fiddling sessions as well so all good so far,ā€ Kohli remarked.

Kohli announced his T20I retirement last year following Indiaā€™s victory at the ICC T20 World Cup. Earlier this year, he also retired from Test cricket, putting an end to a memorable and remarkable career.

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