"Just Catching Up on Life": Virat Kohli Opens Up About His Time Away in UK

Perth: After staying away from the public eye for nearly seven months, Virat Kohli has finally spoken about his extended break in the United Kingdom with his family. Speaking ahead of the first ODI against Australia in Perth, the batting legend shared why he chose to step back from cricket and what these months meant to him.

His words were simple but heartfelt: "Just catching up on life."

The Beautiful Phase

In a candid chat with Ravi Shastri and Adam Gilchrist before the match, Kohli opened up about the time he spent in London after Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 victory in May. He admitted that for years, he hadn't been able to just live life without the constant demands of international cricket.

"Yeah, as I was just saying, just catching up on life. You know, I haven't been able to do anything for the last, I don't know how many years," Kohli said with a smile. "And yeah, just being able to spend some time, some quality time with your kids, with family at home, it's been a beautiful, beautiful phase, and something that I've really enjoyed."

The 36-year-old looked refreshed and energized as he spoke. "I am feeling fresh, looking fresh and fit—moving well in nets and fielding sessions," he added, making it clear that the break has done wonders for him both mentally and physically.

Why the Break Was Needed

Kohli explained that his decision to retire from Tests and T20Is was partly driven by the need to reclaim some personal time. "I played the most number of games in international cricket over the last fifteen years," he said, justifying why stepping back from two formats was necessary.

And the numbers back him up. When you combine his international matches with the IPL over the past 15 years, Kohli has probably played more cricket than almost anyone else in the world. That's a lot of time away from home, a lot of hotel rooms, and a lot of missed family moments.

This break gave him a chance to be just "Virat"—not the cricketer, not the brand, but a husband to Anushka Sharma and a father to his two children, Vamika and Akaay.

Life in London

Virat and Anushka have been based in London for most of this year. The couple chose the UK because it offers them something they can't get in India—privacy. In London, they can walk around, go to restaurants, and even ride the tube without being mobbed by fans or followed by photographers.

According to reports, the family lives in the quiet Notting Hill neighborhood. While there has been speculation about whether they've moved permanently, neither Kohli nor Anushka has made any official statement. What's clear is that they wanted to give their children a normal upbringing away from the constant spotlight.

Dr. Sriram Nene, husband of Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, revealed earlier this year that Anushka told him they were considering London because "they can't enjoy their success" in India. "They just want to raise their kids normally," he said.

The Australia Connection

During the interview, Kohli was also asked about his special relationship with Australia—a country where he has consistently performed at his best. His answer gave us a glimpse into what drives him as a cricketer.

"Well, you know, growing up watching cricket as a kid, you know, when we used to wake up early in the morning and watch daylight cricket in Australia, you'd see the ball flying off the pitch and, you know, the opposition in your face," Kohli explained.

He recalled watching legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virender Sehwag perform in challenging Australian conditions. "And I used to feel like, wow, if I'd be able to step up in these conditions and against this opposition, that'd be something that I could be really proud of as a cricketer," he said.

And step up he did. Kohli has 2,451 runs in 50 ODIs against Australia at an average of 54.46, including eight centuries. His performances Down Under have become the stuff of legend.

What's Next?

Now that he's back, all eyes will be on how Kohli performs in this three-match ODI series. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, these matches will be crucial in determining whether he remains part of India's long-term plans.

But for now, Kohli seems content with the choices he's made. The break has given him clarity, freshness, and most importantly, precious time with his family. Whether he plays for two more years or decides to hang up his boots sooner, one thing is certain—Virat Kohli is at peace with himself, and that's the most important thing.