Indian superstar Virat Kohli set to be Australia’s biggest obstacle in final international appearance in Perth

Indian cricket megastar Virat Kohli looms as Australia’s biggest obstacle for a perfect start to their summer as the batter prepares for his final international appearance in Perth on Sunday.

Kohli showed no signs of rust in the nets as he trained for his first game in Indian colours in seven months with a smattering of fans watching through the fence.

The 36-year-old looked calm during fielding drills and when not batting in the nets, but displayed his trademark intensity when it was called upon as he looks to get one up against his old enemy.

Despite not having batted at international level since March, Kohli looked at his fluent best, moving his feet freely and batting with controlled aggression in preparation of the first of the three-match ODI series against Australia at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Kohli has a love affair with the venue, having scored two Test centuries there, including a drought-breaking hundred against Australia less than 12 months ago before his retirement from the format.

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel said Kohli and former skipper Rohit Sharma — also set to tour Australia for the final time — were ready to go after a long time between games.

“He’s a world-class player along with Rohit and we’ve had just one practice session after six months, we enjoyed it and are gelling together,” Patel said.

“They are world-class players, so they know what to do and they are ready to go.

“We will see (their form) after the first match but they are professional, so they know what to do. They’ve been practising at the Bangalore Centre of Excellence, so I think they are ready to go.”

Australian batter Travis Head said it was great that both Kohli and Sharma were part of the ODI set-up for India as they prepare to renew hostilities in front of a split Perth crowd.

“They’ve been awesome for India ... they’re two quality players, two of the great white-ball players,” Head said.

“Virat is probably the greatest white-ball player and Rohit is probably not far behind.

“As someone who opens the batting in the same format, I hold huge regard for Rohit and what he’s been able to do.

“I am sure they will both be missed at some stage, but they’re going until 2027 aren’t they? They’re both trying to get to the World Cup and it’s great that they’re still playing.”

Head confirmed he will open the batting and is set to partner captain and hometown hero Mitch Marsh, but the make-up of Australia’s top order is still up in the air.

All-rounder Cam Green’s side strain has opened the door for Queenslander Matt Renshaw to make his international limited overs debut, while the absence of Josh Inglis (calf) as well as former skipper Steve Smith has spots in the top order up for grabs.

West Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly is part of the squad and could come into contention as the team’s spinner should they decide to play four genuine quick bowlers.

Victorian Matt Short (side strain) and Tasmanian Mitch Owen (concussion) have returned after missing the South African series with injury.

Head said it would be exciting to see what Renshaw could do in the format, having only played Test cricket for Australia so far in his career.

“We’ll find some things out about a few guys. It’s hard to believe Matt Renshaw hasn’t played for Australia in the short format having played early in his Test career,” he said.

“He is someone who is going really, really well and I am looking forward to seeing how he develops and playing in this format.

“We’ve played well in the last (ODI), we didn’t play too great to start the series but I think the key for us is to make sure we start well on Sunday.

“We don’t want to be playing our best in the last game like we did last series. It’s tough against a quality outfit and I’m excited for a few guys to get their first crack at it.”

Marnus Labuschange is also set to fly from Adelaide at the finish of Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia to cover for the injured Green, but Head said he was unsure if the 31-year-old was in contention to play.

“You should get Bison (Marsh), not me. But he (Labuschagne) is in good form,” he said.

“He is coming in as cover for Greeny so we’ll see what the team lays out on Sunday.”

Head has been named as part of both the ODI and Twenty20 squads to take on India before the summer but could yet miss some of the matches to play shield cricket for South Australia as part of his preparation for the the first Ashes Test against England in Perth on November 21.

“We’re working through that at this stage, so we’ll see how the next few games go and what that preparation looks like for that period,” he said.

“At the moment I am making sure that I am trying to get some runs on Sunday against a high quality team and put myself in the best position for the summer.”