Kohli thanks GT assistant coach for 'helping out with the hit' after returning to nets with international return in mind

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3 days ago

Virat Kohli has enjoyed an extended break after helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru win their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title earlier this year, and will be looking to keep himself in top shape before his big international return – in the ODI series in Australia in October, read more
Virat Kohli will be eyeing a return to international cricket after more than six months in the three-match ODI series in Australia. AP
Virat Kohli has had a nice little break after helping the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title earlier this summer. This was right after he starred in India's Champions Trophy triumph in the UAE, helping the Men in Blue win a second ICC title in as many years.
Having spent quality time with family members for the past couple of months and cheered for his teammates from the comfort of his home, the batting superstar returned to training on Friday with an eye on his international comeback later this year.
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Kohli took to social media to share an image of an indoor training session with Gujarat Titans assistant coach Naeem Amin, who is based out of London, on Friday.
'Thanks for helping out with the hit, brother. Always lovely to see you,' Kohli wrote in a 'Story' on Instagram, posing alongside Amin – who runs the Mighty Willow Cricket Academy in Berkshire near London.
'Good to see you brother! See you soon,' responded Amin, reposting Kohli's 'Story'.
Amin has been part of the Ashish Nehra-led Gujarat Titans support staff as assistant coach since the franchise won the IPL on debut in 2022. Amin had previously played for Buckinghamshire and Surrey and had also served as head coach of the Norway national team.
As for the IPL, Amin was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad support staff in 2018.
What's next for Virat Kohli?
Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma had retired from Twenty20 Internationals together after helping India lift the T20 World Cup last year, and also announced their Test retirements in the span of a week in May, while the IPL was underway.
The two superstars will be back in action in the three-match ODI series that takes place in Australia in October, immediately after the two-Test series against West Indies at home. India also play three ODIs each against South Africa and New Zealand at home, later in the winter.
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It remains to be seen whether the BCCI has Rohit and Kohli in mind as far as the 2027 ICC World Cup in South Africa is concerned, with the former still leading the Men in Blue in the 50-over format.
With Shubman Gill having impressed as a leader in the recently-concluded Test series in England, there are some who are calling for the batting star to be made the ODI captain as well.