When Duncan Fletcher checked in, Virat Kohli understood the value of fitness

[Varun]

MOHALI: The stories on how Virat Kohli attained supreme fitness are well documented but not many know about his candid chat with former India coach Duncan Fletcher before he went on to become one of the fittest cricketers in the world.

It is well known that Kohli started taking fitness much more seriously post an ordinary IPL in 2012. He changed his training regime and eating habits completely, realising the need to transform his body to survive the rigours of playing all three formats. An impromptu conversation with Fletcher also helped.

"Duncan told me once that he feels cricket is the most unprofessional of professional sports," Kohli told The Telegraph after India won the second Test in Vizag to take a 1-0 lead in the five match series against England.

"You can have the skill but do not think you need to train as much as a tennis player. But I realised if you want to stay on top playing three formats in this day and age you need a routine.

"You need a set pattern of your training, the way you eat, how healthy and fit you need to be. Being fitter made me mentally stronger. It was like a direct connection," Kohli recalled.

India's batting mainstay admitted that it was tough to follow the strict regime initially.

"It changed in 2012. I had great tours to Australia and scored 180 against Bangladesh and went into the IPL thinking: 'Wow this is going to be a great season for me'. I wanted to make it my tournament and dominate the bowlers. I really struggled.

"My training was horrible, I ate so bad, I was up until late, I was having a drink or two regularly. It was a horrible mindset. The season ended and I was so thankful it was over. I went home, came out of the shower one day and looked at myself in the mirror and said 'you can't look like this if you want to be a professional cricketer.'

"I was 11 or 12kgs heavier than I am now, I was really chubby. I changed everything from the next morning from what I eat to how I train. I was in the gym for an hour-and-a-half every day. Working really hard, off gluten, off wheat, no cold drinks, no desserts, nothing. It was tough.

"For the first two months I felt I wanted to eat the bed sheet when I went to sleep because I was so hungry. I was craving taste. I was craving delicious food. But then I saw the results. I felt quick around the field. I would wake up in morning and feel like I had energy.

"From 2015 I changed my training again. I started lifting, snatching, cleaning and dead lifting. It was unbelievable. I saw the result. I remember running after a ball in a Test series in Sri Lanka and I felt more power in my legs. It was, like, 'wow'. This training is addictive. The last year-and-a-half it has taken my game to another level," he explained.

It is not a surprise that Kohli wants his team to be the fittest in the world. He thinks being in top shape would help the side both at home and overseas.

"One of the things I would love is for this team to win series outside India, not just in one place but everywhere we go. For me it is not winning one Test match and saying we made history and then not being able to follow that up. I want us to be the fittest Indian team that has played the game as well.

"That is our goal to be become better people along years of playing together. Friendships to last. Most exciting thing is everyone is young building careers together. If things fall in the right place this could be a great phase for us," he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ood-value-of-fitness/articleshow/55564431.cms

Interesting article, especially the parts where he says he was at a fitness low after that Australia tour of 2011/12.

 

[Hasan123]

Lol and people think this guy can't become an elite test player, imagine how hard he works on his batting.

 

[Slog]

Its very very evident from just looking at him

Two ways:
First. Just have a look at his pics from 2012 or earlier and now, and its a vast vast difference. And if you compare with pre 2010, you see that he actually has baby fat. Right now his body fat percentage maybe similar to sprinters

Second, and something which I have noticed only recently. Just look at the damn muscles in his biceps and forearm when he is training or just stretches his arms in the warmup. You can literally see every sinew oof his body and make out the muscle

I said this probably 7-8 months ago and he has only gone on a higher level since then. Kohli, in my mind, is the fittest cricketer from the subcontinenet EVER.

Imraan Khan was one of the fittest cricketers from this region for his time. By todays standards he'll probably be above average but in those days from a subcontinent lens he was in a different league (his injuries were not fitness related in the sense that poor fitness didnt contribute to them). Kohli is on a different planet as well

 

[Slog]

I think this is also a message for Akmal, Shehzad and their troupe of fans who claim (or used to claim) that PCB didnt handle those 2 correctly and BCCI did that with Kohli which is what contributed to the positions they occupy now (Ofcourse there is a group which still refuses to fully concede Kohli is miles better)

It wasnt about PCB handling, but their own attitude, laziness and unwillingness to put in the extra mile

 

[troodon]

Kohli is ripped. When he was struggling in 2013 initially, I thought it was due to him looking like a tooth pick. He looked extremely lean. Now he added a lot of muscle to that lean frame.

I wonder what guys like Rohit Sharma, Pujara, Vijay, Rahane etc do in their off time. Though the mentioned guys are quick and athletic, they seem to have very soft bodies. They could take Kohli as inspiration. They are professional sports persons. Looking chubby and soft does not look good.
Just look at England players. They are all, tall and well built.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Kohli six hitting improved too.

 

[Napa]

I think this is also a message for Akmal, Shehzad and their troupe of fans who claim (or used to claim) that PCB didnt handle those 2 correctly and BCCI did that with Kohli which is what contributed to the positions they occupy now (Ofcourse there is a group which still refuses to fully concede Kohli is miles better)

It wasnt about PCB handling, but their own attitude, laziness and unwillingness to put in the extra mile

The truth is a bit more complex.

Kohli's success is also due to the Indian system, of which BCCI is a part. The point is that while it is true that Kohli has put in great effort, the reason why he has also put in that effort is that he knows he will be rewarded for it.

A system that rewards effort rather than sucking up to the selectors or senior players to get selected will motivate young players to invest in performing better.

 

[Zak_Fan]

So what does he really eat?

I remember Ajay Jadeja mentioning that Kohli had cut down on carbs completely for last many years, so maybe he is following a high fat Keto diet.

 

[Indiafan]

The truth is a bit more complex.

Kohli's success is also due to the Indian system, of which BCCI is a part. The point is that while it is true that Kohli has put in great effort, the reason why he has also put in that effort is that he knows he will be rewarded for it.

A system that rewards effort rather than sucking up to the selectors or senior players to get selected will motivate young players to invest in performing better.

Akmal and Shehad were the darling of the media and fans. There is no way PCB would not have rewarded them if they performed even 50% to their expectations. They were given long runs too. They have nothing to complain.

 

[rollingstoned]

Kohli six hitting improved too.

Did you catch Siva mentioning during the last test that Ashwin has started eating meat to improve his fielding? not sure what he will suddenly gain by eating meat now as he isn't a 150 kph fast bowler to begin with anyway.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Did you catch Siva mentioning during the last test that Ashwin has started eating meat to improve his fielding? not sure what a tambram will suddenly gain by eating meat now as he isn't a 150 kph fast bowler to begin with anyway.

No I missed out that. Haha.

Fitness as in general fitness I guess. Not sure how meat helps here. And this guy needs to get his body in shape.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I think Ashwin is a tamil brahmin like me and sib so yes a veggie. ^ Cricket ain't a sport where having a 6 pack and ripped chesticles gives you any advantage if your basic skills aren't upto speed anyway, rather he worked on his batting and bowling than spend 2 hours in the gym everyday and eat rabbit food if he ain't a natural athlete anyway. Philander is another good example.

He is Tam Brahm but don't know whether he was a veggie before. In my entire circle of Tam Brahm, I am the only guy who is a veggie. Ash is probably the new generation of Tam Brah. Will eat meat and drink.

Ashwin's fitness is crucial. Even more so when he is playing as AR. You need to be really fit to score runs and then bowl. Right now if Ashwin scores big, he can't come back and bowl a long spell properly.

Even for his off spin, he needs to get more fit to put impart more life on the ball. When you have a weak fitness (which is not an issue with Ashwin but he is not very fit either), the quality of your bowling will taper off alarming as you bowl more overs. Or you will start floating the ball up instead of imparting the necessary force needed to make it talk.

Kohli mentioned that one of the reasons why Ashwin's bowling improved was due to better fitness. He needs to do a lot more.

 

[rollingstoned]

He is Tam Brahm but don't know whether he was a veggie before. In my entire circle of Tam Brahm, I am the only guy who is a veggie. Ash is probably the new generation of Tam Brah. Will eat meat and drink.

Ashwin's fitness is crucial. Even more so when he is playing as AR. You need to be really fit to score runs and then bowl. Right now if Ashwin scores big, he can't come back and bowl a long spell properly.

Even for his off spin, he needs to get more fit to put impart more life on the ball. When you have a weak fitness (which is not an issue with Ashwin but he is not very fit either), the quality of your bowling will taper off alarming as you bowl more overs. Or you will start floating the ball up instead of imparting the necessary force needed to make it talk.

Kohli mentioned that one of the reasons why Ashwin's bowling improved was due to better fitness. He needs to do a lot more.

true, i myself am a little guilty of that lol. Vegetarian with a little bit of meat here and there.

Ashwin may need to improve his ground fielding and running between the wickets slightly but i'd rather he focus more on being an ace slipper as we drop a lot of catches there and he is decent at first/ second slip. Like Philander he is probably fitter than he looks but in general spinners and spin all rounders have never been flagbearers for fitness in cricket, that mantle goes to fast bowlers. Kohli really is an exception when it comes to that, he could compete with the average PL footballer.

 

[street cricketer]

He is Tam Brahm but don't know whether he was a veggie before. In my entire circle of Tam Brahm, I am the only guy who is a veggie. Ash is probably the new generation of Tam Brah. Will eat meat and drink.

Ashwin's fitness is crucial. Even more so when he is playing as AR. You need to be really fit to score runs and then bowl. Right now if Ashwin scores big, he can't come back and bowl a long spell properly.

Even for his off spin, he needs to get more fit to put impart more life on the ball. When you have a weak fitness (which is not an issue with Ashwin but he is not very fit either), the quality of your bowling will taper off alarming as you bowl more overs. Or you will start floating the ball up instead of imparting the necessary force needed to make it talk.

Kohli mentioned that one of the reasons why Ashwin's bowling improved was due to better fitness. He needs to do a lot more.

Ash is/was a veggie. Remember him, Ishant and Raina being unhappy with the lack of vegetarian options available in the menu at the Gabba.

Virat stressed in his interview that he wanted not only himself but this Indian team to be the fittest Indian team ever. It's probably the Virat effect that is the reason behind Ash's change in diet and training regimen to increase his fitness.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Ash is/was a veggie. Remember him, Ishant and Raina being unhappy with the lack of vegetarian options available in the menu at the Gabba.

Virat stressed in his interview that he wanted not only himself but this Indian team to be the fittest Indian team ever. It's probably the Virat effect that is the reason behind Ash's change in diet and training regimen to increase his fitness.

Only remember Ishant (and maybe Raina) making a fuss.

I won't be least bit surprised if Ash was never veggie.

 

[RamLakhan]

Yes fitness plays an important role! (Probably Kohli is doing better than Sachin while chasing because of this factor! Fitness allows him to concentrate throughout the match/innings)

And somebody like Ganguly would have done wonders if he was more fit! Fitness would have improved his bowling (added some pace!), also it would have helped him to rotate the strike when he got strangled for runs! He would have been second or first best alrounder from India alongside Kapil. I think he worked "zero" on his fitness (only thing good he did was not overeat which could put some fat as well)

 

[Aman]

His work ethic is superb, coupled with his talent and mental strength, it makes him damn near unstoppable.

 

[RamLakhan]

Imraan Khan was one of the fittest cricketers from this region for his time. By todays standards he'll probably be above average but in those days from a subcontinent lens he was in a different league (his injuries were not fitness related in the sense that poor fitness didnt contribute to them). Kohli is on a different planet as well

Azhar was also fittest cricketer at that time! Moreover he was not sitting out of many matches due to injury, and his ground fielding was outstanding for those times (besides other unwanted things of course)! Ajay Jadeja though didn't possess a great body, but was always fit! Ironically these two lost their reputation and limelight due to their own sad events!

 

[Abdullah719]

Virat's decision to lose weight was the turning point: Whatmore

CHENNAI: Virat Kohli's first brush with international success was in the U-19 World Cup in 2008 and the coach of that team was Dav Whatmore. The Aussie, who was named director of the 'International Cricket Academy of Excellence' set up by Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Sciences Centre (SRASSC) here on Wednesday, was all praise for the leadership skills of Kohli. "Even during the under-19 days, Virat showed great leadership skills and always led by example. To me, the turning point in his career was when he lost weight. The skills were always there, and so was his mental strength but the ability to remain disciplined and lose weight takes a lot of doing," he said.

Whatmore felt the current Indian Test team benefitted immensely from Ravichandran Ashwin's allround exploits. "Ashwin is the MVP (Most Valuable Player). Not just with the ball, but he can hit a century coming at No 6. He is a very smart boy, comes from Tamil Nadu and is an engineer. What an asset to have. I am sure Virat must be really happy to have him," Whatmore said.

Whatmore was the coach of the Sri Lankan team when Muttiah Muralitharan was at his prime. He didn't go into a comparison of Ashwin with Murali, but felt the latter's ability with the bat is an added bonus. "Murali was absolutely world-class and 800 Test wickets is just incredible, but he didn't bat as well as Ashwin does," Whatmore said.

With Australia slated to tour India next month, does he see Steve Smith's side stopping the Indian juggernaut? "It is a huge test coming to India particularly in times when the Indian players have developed so much. Apart from top-class batsmen and bowlers, this Indian team has a good bunch of allrounders and that's a big boost. India is a wonderful Test team and it's hard to stop a good side," he said. Whatmore felt Australia could've made use of the facilities at SRASSC before facing Virat's team. "They could well do with some practice here, but I believe they are going to Dubai. It does make sense to practice in the country you are going to play," added Whatmore.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...rning-point-whatmore/articleshow/56650116.cms

 

[Pakistanian]

#Respect

Even though he's Indian, he's one of my favorite players cause of his talent and especially cause of his work ethic.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/KkaBwOVsSy">pic.twitter.com/KkaBwOVsSy</a></p>— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli/status/998082772236488704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[adzzy786]

What makes me laugh is there’s someone like Kohli who is so serious about his fitness and reflected in his performance where Pakistani players say if they get fit or loose weight they can no longer bat. Hilarious

 

[Abdul]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/KkaBwOVsSy">pic.twitter.com/KkaBwOVsSy</a></p>— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli/status/998082772236488704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I'm disappointed in him. Why is he even bothering to reply? Let the normies keep talking crap. "Eating clean" is merely a meme, that's it.

 

[Sachin136]

I'm disappointed in him. Why is he even bothering to reply? Let the normies keep talking crap. "Eating clean" is merely a meme, that's it.

He's joking, it is for a new ad deal. Check his twitter.

 

[Brodipet_baadshah]

This guy is insane..changed the complete culture of Indian cricket team and aspirants as well...10-15years ago who would have thought that an aspiring young cricketer would give preference to fitness as much as cricketing skill for getting an opportunity in national team..I agree that many coaches tried this in the past but unsuccessful..kohli stood like an example and his success brought the change in the mindset..believe our current team of pandya, bumrah, klrahul..etc is the fittest team and this was possible only because of kohli