Watch: Virat Kohli continues to toil in the nets as India return nears

Former India captain Virat Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, is expected to return to competitive cricket in October during India's white-ball tour of Australia. The 36-year-old batting star was last seen getting emotional after leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first IPL title in 2025, and has since been in London where he continues to train and practice.A recent viral social media image suggested Kohli was busy during a practice session in London, indicating his continued engagement with cricket despite his partial retirement. The photograph captured him posing with a fan during his training stint.

Earlier in August, Kohli shared an Instagram Story featuring himself with Gujarat Titans' assistant coach Naeem Ali at a training facility. He wrote: "Thanks for helping out with the hit brother.

Always lovely to see you."The cricket legend's future plans have become a subject of speculation, with reports citing BCCI sources suggesting both Kohli and Rohit Sharma might retire after the upcoming Australia series.It has been claimed that if Kohli and Rohit aim to participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa, they will need to compete in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier domestic one-day competition.Following the three-match ODI series in Australia, India's next ODI engagement will be a home series against South Africa in December, also comprising three matches.

The 2026 calendar is packed with ODI cricket for India, featuring series against multiple nations. These include matches against New Zealand in January and October, Afghanistan in June, England in July, and the West Indies in September.