India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli has finally returned home after nearly four months abroad, sparking excitement among fans ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against Australia. The former India captain was spotted at the New Delhi airport on Tuesday, making a swift exit without interacting much with fans or posing for selfies, as he headed straight to his car to join the national team setup.

Kohli had flown to London soon after the conclusion of the IPL 2025 season, where he led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to their maiden IPL title — a long-awaited triumph in his illustrious career. Following that high, he took a break from cricket, spending quality time with his wife Anushka Sharma and their two children.

Since his Test retirement in May, Kohli has not represented India, missing the England tour in the summer. According to BCCI sources, the Indian team will travel to Australia on October 15, departing in two batches due to logistical constraints related to flight schedules.

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The team will head straight to Perth, where the opening ODI is scheduled for October 19. This series marks Kohli’s much-anticipated return to international cricket, his first outing since the Champions Trophy 2025, and comes amid renewed discussions about his international future.

GOAT VIRAT KOHLI HAS ARRIVED !! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/We7EW9rJko

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) October 14, 2025

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently refrained from confirming whether Kohli and Rohit Sharma will remain central to India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans, despite both being named for the Australia tour. This has led to speculation that the series could be a decisive moment for the senior pair. However, Shubman Gill, India’s newly appointed ODI captain, dismissed those doubts, emphasising that the team “needs their experience” to guide the next generation of cricketers.

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Reports also suggest that Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the selection committee have discussed concerns over the longevity of Kohli and Rohit, given their limited-format participation. To address this, both are expected to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, marking Kohli’s first domestic List A appearance in 15 years — a strong signal that the veterans are gearing up to silence their critics once again.