The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s white-ball squads for the upcoming Australia tour, set to go underway from October 19. While the much-anticipated tour will see the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after a long gap after they put down curtains on their T20I career last year, followed by retirement from Test cricket in May 2025.
Further, the senior duo will return after last featuring in the Indian colours in India’s Champions Trophy triumph in March. But in a shocking turn of events, Rohit Sharma, who led the Indian team to two titles was snubbed captaincy role with Shubman Gill replacing him at the helm. Although, it continues to be the biggest talk, there were several rumours around Virat Kohli’s fitness
concerns too.
There's no concern about his fitness: Harbhajan Singh on Virat Kohli
Amidst this, former India cricketer and spinner Harbhajan Singh quashed all these rumours. Speaking to Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh was quick to dismiss these concerns, as he said, "Please, don't ask any questions about his (Virat Kohli) fitness. When it comes to fitness, he's a fitness guru. Everyone follows what he does. Virat Kohli—there's no concern about his fitness. He's fit, probably fitter than many who have played alongside him. In present international cricket, he's probably the fittest guy. That part is over.”
He further added, “I am looking forward to seeing Virat Kohli back in action because fans haven’t seen him play recently, and personally, I would like to see him playing this format a little longer because he still has it in him. When he retired from Test cricket, I thought he still had about four or five years left—not just to play, but to dominate in Test cricket. He’s that kind of batter. I’m looking forward to seeing him bat, and he’s going to Australia."
It is to be noted that Virat Kohli is considered to be an icon when it comes to fitness. While he has retired from T20Is and Tests, he recently gave his routine fitness tests in London under the observation of an NCA official.
