"King's back where he belongs" - Fans react as Virat Kohli returns to ODI team for IND vs AUS 2025 series 

India's star batter Virat Kohli was named in the squad for the side's upcoming three-match away ODI series against Australia. The senior player is set to return to the Men in Blue team for the first time since their 2025 Champions Trophy triumph in March.

Kohli is currently active in just one international format, ODIs. He retired from T20I cricket after India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning campaign.

The 36-year-old later drew the curtains on his red-ball career earlier this year in May. His ODI future was a big talking point ahead of the squad announcement for the Australia tour.

Several fans expressed their excitement over Kohli's return. Here are some of the top reactions on X:

Saikrishna

@Saikrishna_04

He’s back! 🔥Virat Kohli returns to India’s ODI squad vs Australia 🇮🇳 His favourite opponent - 2367 runs in 49 ODIs at an average of 53.79, including 8 hundreds & 14 fifties Also loves batting in Australia - avg 46.7 there! 🇦🇺King’s back where he belongs 👑 #ViratKohli #INDvsAUS

𝒑.

@ssnoozemode

we will see virat on field after such a long time 🥹♥️

Muhsin

@Kohli_verse_

Virat Kohli is coming back to own the Aussies again.

ಕನ್ನಡ್ವಿರಾಟ

@kohlificationn

Virat kohli is back to play the one day cricket which is his favourite format and #1 player who played this game Chase master World cup winner King play as long as you can,if you retire now it's ok,u achieved a lot. Goat of cricket #ViratKohli𓃵 #RohitSharma #INDvsAUS #gill

𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 👸

@Harikaa_18

KING Virat Kohli is back 😭🥺♥️ @imVkohli 🐐 #ViratKohli𓃵

Prathamesh Avachare

@onlyprathamesh

Virat Kohli is back for his usual business of owning Australia in their backyard. ✌🏼 #INDvsAUS

Virat Kohli was India's second-highest run-scorer at the 2025 Champions Trophy. The seasoned campaigner amassed 218 runs across five innings at an average of 54.50.

Notably, Shubman Gill replaced Rohit Sharma as India's ODI captain, while Shreyas Iyer was named as the vice-captain. The series kicks off at Perth Stadium on October 19.

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"They are still leaders in that dressing room" - Ajit Agarkar on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's roles for IND vs AUS 2025 series

Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar commented on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's roles in the Indian team for the Australia tour. He noted that the two players have been part of the ODI team for several years now.

He emphasized that Kohli and Sharma will continue to be leaders in the Indian dressing room. Agarkar said during a press conference:

"I mean what they have been doing for years yaar. Try and score runs. I don't think that changes, they are still playing for the country. They are still leaders in that dressing room, and you hope they are. We hope that they keep scoring runs. We don't have to think too far ahead."

The second and third ODIs of India's series against Australia will be played at Adelaide Oval (October 23) and Sydney Cricket Ground (October 25), respectively.