Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to international cricket is still awaiting fitness clearance, but the former India captain has already created a buzz after a training video with ex-India batting coach Sanjay Bangar went viral on social media. With India’s ODI series against England approaching fast, the clip has only added to the growing excitement around Kohli’s comeback in the blue jersey.
In the viral footage, Kohli is seen arriving at the practice venue with his kit bag on his shoulder before being welcomed by Bangar. The two then spend time in deep discussion at the centre of the ground, with Bangar appearing to walk him through an extended and focused training session. For fans, it was a reassuring sign that one of India’s greatest modern batters is preparing seriously for his return.
Kohli has been included in India’s 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against England, though his participation is still subject to a fitness check. The series, beginning on July 14, is expected to mark the return of both Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who now feature only in ODI cricket after stepping away from Tests and T20Is. That alone has turned the series into one of the most talked-about assignments on India’s calendar.
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Reports have also suggested that Kohli recently completed an intense training block in Alibaug and Mumbai with Bangar, with a focus on fine-tuning the technical aspects of his batting. For a player of Kohli’s calibre, even the smallest adjustment in rhythm, timing and shot selection matters, especially before a big international series.
Virat Kohli Snapped With Sanjay Bangar.♥️ pic.twitter.com/huW0MNKDjc
— virat_kohli_18_club (@KohliSensation) July 1, 2026
Since retiring from Test and T20I cricket, Kohli’s appearances for India have become far more limited, which makes every ODI outing feel like a special occasion for fans. His return against England will be his first international assignment since India’s Champions Trophy triumph and will also serve as an early checkpoint in India’s long-term build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
That is why the training video has been so warmly welcomed. Supporters have been sharing the clip widely, reading it as a positive sign that Kohli is close to full readiness. The prolonged interaction with Bangar has also drawn attention, given their successful association during one of the strongest phases of Kohli’s international career. Bangar worked with India’s support staff from 2014 to 2019, a period in which Kohli rose to the peak of world cricket across formats.
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Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma said the excitement around the comeback is not limited to the dressing room or his close circle. Sharma also revealed that he plans to attend the third ODI at Lord’s and hopes Kohli delivers a strong performance. For now, India remain focused on the ongoing T20I series against England. But with Kohli already back in training and working alongside a familiar face, the countdown to his ODI return has clearly begun.
