Virat Kohli returned to international cricket on Sunday, October 19, after a long gap of seven months when India played Australia in the first ODI in Perth. The marquee batter returned to cricket after missing the game for so long. Kohli last played in the public eye when he led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first Indian Premier League trophy in the year. Prior to the match, Kohli chatted with Adam Gilchrist and Ravi Shastri on Fox Cricket and revealed that he had opened up about why he decided to take a long break in London with his wife and kids. The ex-India captain stated that the time off from cricket was worth it following years of uninterrupted play in all formats. Kohli Spills the Beans on Life Post-Test Retirement In the open interview, Kohli disclosed that retiring from Test cricket enabled him to concentrate on his personal and family life. The sportsperson confessed that for almost 15 years, he hardly got any decent break from cricket, and therefore, this break became one of the most rejuvenating experiences of his life. Kohli said: "Yeah, it’s been a long time off for me since I retired from Test cricket, and as I was saying, I’ve just been catching up on life. I hadn’t been able to do that for so many years. Being able to spend quality time with my kids and family at home has been a really beautiful phase, something I’ve truly enjoyed." He added: "To be honest, with the amount of cricket I’ve played over the last 15 to 20 years, I’ve hardly ever taken a real break. I’ve probably played more matches than almost anyone in the last 15 years when you combine international cricket with the IPL. So, this time off was actually very refreshing for me." Also Read | ‘Wave Goodbye to the Trophy’: Kris Srikkanth Ignites Debate with ODI Team Selection Kohli Quashes Fitness Questions Throughout his break, doubts were raised whether Kohli would be able to sustain his legendary fitness levels without practice through regular match competition. But the 35-year-old brushed aside all concerns, saying he feels stronger than ever. He said: "I’m feeling as fit, if not fitter, than I’ve ever been. There’s a real sense of freshness when you know the game so well mentally, and it’s just the physical preparation that needs to be looked after." Kohli added: "At this stage of my career, I understand that if my body is fit and my reflexes are sharp, the game awareness is already there. My body just has to keep up with it, and that’s something I work hard to maintain." Kohli also mentioned that he was in great rhythm in the nets and fielding drills, saying: “I’m feeling fresh coming into Australia, moving well in the nets and in fielding sessions too. So, all good so far.” Tough Return for the Indian Star Despite his positive mindset, Kohli’s on-field return didn’t go as planned. He was dismissed for an eight-ball duck by Mitchell Starc in the seventh over, caught at point by Cooper Connolly. The dismissal reminded fans of Kohli’s struggles during his previous tour of Australia, where he frequently edged deliveries outside off stump. While the comeback innings was short-lived, Kohli’s refreshed mindset and renewed energy suggest that he is focused on the bigger picture, regaining consistency ahead of the upcoming international season.