Virat Kohli, India’s star batter, spoke about his preparations for the ODI series against Australia, which begins on Sunday, October 19, at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Shubman Gill will lead India, with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain, while Virat will be a crucial component in the batting lineup.
Kohli admitted that in the last 15 years, he has hardly taken a break from cricket. He claimed he loved his four-month break from professional cricket. The veteran batsman will make his 551st international appearance for India, while his longtime opening partner Rohit Sharma will play his 500th international encounter.
“To be honest, given the amount of cricket I’ve played over the last 15-20 years, I’ve rarely had a proper rest. When you combine international cricket and the IPL, I’ve probably played more matches than nearly anyone over the last 15 years. So this time off was quite rejuvenating for me,” Kohli told Fox Cricket.
“I feel as fit — if not fitter — than I’ve ever been. There’s a great sense of freshness when you know the game so well cognitively, and all you have to worry about is physical preparation. At this point in my career, I realize that if my body is fit and my reflexes are quick, the game awareness is already there. My body simply needs to keep up with it, which I work hard to achieve. That is how I live my life, and I am currently trouble-free. Coming into Australia, I’m feeling refreshed and moving good in the nets and fielding workouts. So far, everything looks okay,” he continued.
Virat Kohli enjoys playing cricket on Oz soil
The 36-year-old seasoned campaigner also spoke about his fondness for playing cricket in Australia, acknowledging that it is always challenging to perform Down Under. He added that Perth has been an iconic venue over the years, a relaxed place with a pitch that offers good pace and bounce, conditions he has always enjoyed playing in.
“It’s always lovely to be back in Australia, a place where I’ve really enjoyed my cricket. There’s been a lot of hard-fought cricket over the years, many battles, and through that journey I realized that if you play competitively and hard, even if you’re in the face of the opposition, you eventually gain their respect. That’s exactly what I experienced playing here. I have some great memories at the stadium in Perth. I love coming here — it’s a really nice, relaxed place. The wickets are beautiful to bat on, with pace and bounce, which I’ve always enjoyed,” said Kohli.
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