Virat Kohli has found a subtle yet impactful way to hush retirement talk and remind everyone especially the BCCI that he’s far from done. From the historic Lord’s ground, he’s sending a “loud and clear message,” proving not with public statements, but with gritty training sessions, that his fire remains undimmed.

It’s been 81 days since Kohli last played an official match he wasn’t part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England and had already bid goodbye to both Test and T20I cricket. Yet, rather than fade quietly, he seems to be preparing for a roaring return in the white-ball format. With India’s upcoming tour of Australia featuring three ODIs and five T20Is on the horizon, all eyes are fixed on Kohli’s resurgence.

What stands out is Kohli’s approach: disciplined, quiet, yet unmistakably determined. He was spotted at Lord’s training intensely for two hours batting with precision, taking throwdowns from varied angles, and working on nuanced facets of his game as if he was making his debut for India. The implicit message is clear: “The King is coming.”

At 36, Kohli’s road ahead may have more miles behind than ahead, but if the Lord’s glimpse is any indication, he’s not just preparing he’s strategizing his way back to his peak. His aura, grit, and readiness signal that when he returns, it’ll be with the same promise of excellence that ruled his career.