Former India captain Virat Kohli arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday morning, a day before his scheduled departure to Australia with the rest of the white-ball team for a three-match series starting on 19 October. Kohli was spotted leaving the airport and entering a car, dressed in a black shirt and white trousers. With earphones on and a casual outfit, he looked dapper and relaxed as he returned to India from London.
Kohli was wearing spectacles and white shoes and was surrounded by security personnel as he made his way out of the airport.
He is expected to leave with the first batch of Indian cricketers on Wednesday morning, alongside Rohit Sharma, according to sources. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill are set to depart for Australia on Wednesday evening, joining those who featured in the West Indies Test series, which concluded on Tuesday, 14 October.
Shubman Gill has replaced Rohit as captain, following a bold decision by the Indian selectors when they announced India’s 15-man squad for the ODI series.
Kohli has been training in London, working intensively on his skills and fitness in preparation for his return to international cricket after six months. He last played competitive cricket in the Indian Premier League final on 3 June, inspiring Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden title triumph. Kohli left for London a day after the victory celebrations in Bengaluru, which tragically resulted in a stampede that left 11 people dead and 33 injured.
In London, Kohli was seen working with Naeem Amin, one of the coaches associated with Gujarat Titans, in indoor net sessions as he prepared for the Australia tour.
Rohit, meanwhile, has focused extensively on his fitness and skills in Mumbai, working with former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. The former all-rounder revealed that Rohit shed 10 kg during an intense fitness regime over the past month. The former captain surprised everyone with his leaner and fitter appearance during an awards show earlier this month.
India will play three ODIs, beginning on 19 October in Perth. The second match will be held in Adelaide, with the series finale taking place in Sydney on 25 October.
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