Virat Kohli Living Quiet Life In London’s Notting Hill After Test Retirement: Reports

Ace Indian batter Virat Kohli is currently residing in London's trendy Notting Hill area, putting to rest ongoing speculation over his residence in England, according to a report by The Telegraph.

Known for its vibrant charm, Notting Hill is lined with relaxed cafés and the bohemian Portobello Road, famous for its bustling antique market.

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/virat.kohli/

The report notes that Kohli is leading a low-key, private lifestyle, far removed from cricket, even as the Indian team prepares for two upcoming Tests in the English capital - which he now calls home.

London has long served as a kind of sanctuary for Kohli, offering a sense of anonymity that he never quite enjoyed in India. He is occasionally spotted dining at restaurants or taking the tube - something almost unimaginable back home.

Kohli, along with his wife Anushka Sharma and their two children, Vamika and Akaay, has reportedly been living in the Notting Hill neighbourhood for several years now.

Following his announcement last month of retiring from Test cricket, there were reports of interest from County side Middlesex, keen on signing him for the season. However, Kohli has not expressed any intention to accept the offer thus far.

He is expected to return to action in August during India's ODI series in Bangladesh - now the only format he continues to play.

Until then, Kohli's connection to the ongoing England series remains a curious one - near, yet removed.

The upcoming Test at Headingley will be the first assignment for the Shubman Gill-led Indian side since the retirement of Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin from the longest format.

"Bumrah leading their attack, he's a fantastic bowler, but there are 11 players on the team, and it takes a team to win a game of cricket," England captain Ben Stokes said, when asked if Bumrah would become the central figure for Indian fans in the absence of Kohli and Rohit.

Earlier, former England skipper Geoffrey Boycott said Kohli's absence would be felt more than Rohit's.

"Rohit was a superb batter. At his best, a beautiful stroke player, but he won't be missed as much as Kohli, because his Test record was good rather than exceptional. In the last couple of years, his batting was a little inconsistent, which was not surprising in his late 30s," Boycott said.