Virat Kohli revealed he has played more cricket than almost anyone in the last 15 years and feels fitter and fresher than ever after a rare break.
India’s star batter Virat Kohli is all set for the ODI series against Australia, starting Sunday, October 19, at Optus Stadium in Perth. India will be led by Shubman Gill, with Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain, while Kohli is expected to anchor the batting lineup.
Kohli has rarely taken breaks over his 15-year career, combining international cricket with IPL commitments, making him one of the most active cricketers of his generation. He recently spent four months away from professional cricket, a period he found refreshing.
“To be honest, with the amount of cricket I’ve played over the last 15–20 years, I’ve hardly ever taken a real break. I’ve probably played more matches than almost anyone in the last 15 years when you combine international cricket with the IPL. So this time off was actually very refreshing for me,” said Kohli to Fox Cricket.
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“I’m feeling as fit — if not fitter — than I’ve ever been. There’s a real sense of freshness when you know the game so well mentally, and it’s just the physical preparation that needs to be looked after. At this stage of my career, I understand that if my body is fit and my reflexes are sharp, the game awareness is already there. My body just has to keep up with it, and that’s something I work hard to maintain. I live my life with that approach, and right now I have no issues at all. I’m feeling fresh coming into Australia, moving well in the nets and in fielding sessions too. So, all good so far,” he added.
The veteran will mark his 551st international appearance for India, while his long-time partner Rohit Sharma will feature in his 500th international match. However, Virat Kohli’s return to ODIs was disappointing as he was dismissed for a duck in the ongoing match against.
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