Perth, Oct 19 (NationPress) Virat Kohli has stepped back into the realm of international cricket for the first time since India's triumph at the Champions Trophy, as the Men in Blue take on hosts Australia in the initial ODI of a three-match series at Optus Stadium.

Before the match, Kohli, who has retired from both T20I and Test cricket, stated that he has maintained his fitness despite a lengthy hiatus from play.

In a conversation with Fox Sports alongside Ravi Shastri and Adam Gilchrist before the opening ODI, the former India captain expressed, "To be honest, considering the amount of cricket I've played over the past 15-20 years, I really haven't had any rest, if that makes sense. I’ve likely played the most matches in international cricket over the last 15 years when you combine it with IPL. Therefore, for me, it was a very rejuvenating break."

While numerous analysts and commentators raised concerns about Kohli's fitness ahead of his competitive comeback, the 36-year-old affirmed that he felt 'fitter than ever', emphasizing that physical preparation is vital, as he is mentally prepared for the game.

"I feel as fit, if not fitter than I ever have before, and you can certainly sense the freshness when you know you're ready to play. Mentally, I am aware of what to do; it’s mainly about ensuring proper physical preparation," he elaborated.

“At this point, I understand that if my body is fit and my reflexes are sharp, then my game awareness is already intact. My body simply needs to align with that, and that’s a lifestyle I maintain. I’m feeling rejuvenated coming into Australia, and I’m performing well in the nets and during fielding sessions, so everything is excellent so far,” Kohli remarked.

Kohli declared his retirement from T20I cricket last year after India’s victory at the ICC T20 World Cup. Earlier this year, he also concluded his Test cricket career, marking the end of a significant and illustrious journey.