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The game of cricket over the years have evolved, as in the contemporary world fitness has been a crucial part of the game. Nowadays, there are several tests that are carried out across different cricket boards before inducting the cricketers into the side. Virat Kohli has unofficial ambassador of fitness in Indian cricket, and he has set the same example across the world.
At the age of 37, currently remains the fittest cricketer in world cricket. He showcases amazing athletic reactions, and while young stars continue to emerge and redefine modern T20 batting, Kohli has shown that greatness is not about resisting change; it's about mastering it. From chasing impossible targets to delivering under pressure, Virat continues to answer every challenge with his bat.
"My under-13s all have a higher Yo-Yo score than Virat Kohli"- Ranjit Bajaj challenges Kohli
Every other cricketer and those from outside the game have set Kohli as an example of fitness. Now, Ranjit Bajaj, a prominent Indian sports entrepreneur, football administrator, and the founder of the Minerva Academy Football & Cricket Club, has provided a bold statement on Virat. He believes that his U-13 and U-15 boys will have a higher score than Kohli in Yo-Yo Tests.
"My all U13 have higher Yo-Yo score than Virat Kohli, I'm openly challenging it
— RAJ (@Rajdeep48_IND) June 28, 2026
my U15 will outrun Virat Kohli by far"
--- Ranjit Bajaj#Indianfootball #AIFF pic.twitter.com/JaODMroOeN
"My under-13s all have a higher Yo-Yo score than Kohli. My 13-year-olds and my 12-year-olds have a higher score than Virat Kohli. And I'm saying it openly for an open challenge. My under-15s are crossing him by far. By far. They will outrun Virat Kohli or the fittest cricketer in India by far."
What is a Yo-Yo Test?
For the ones, the Yo-Yo Test is an intense aerobic fitness test that measures an athlete's ability to perform repeated high-intensity intervals. Participants shuttle back and forth between 20-meter cones, keeping pace with an audio beep, followed by a short recovery break. The first time the Yo-Yo Test was brought into Indian cricket was back in 2017.
The Indian Cricket Team strength and conditioning coach Shankar Basu brought it into the team when Virat was the captain of the side. Then head coach Anil Kumble made the test a mandatory, non-negotiable benchmark for selection, which turned out to be the biggest landmark in Indian cricket as India became one of the finest teams on the outfield.
Virat Kohli returns for England ODIs
Kohli has been absent from international cricket, citing a hamstring injury. The former India captain was struck with the setback during the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final against the Gujarat Titans. It ruled him out of the Afghanistan series; however, he has been named in the upcoming ODI series against England, subject to fitness.
Kohli was present at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and was cleared to travel to England after passing the fitness test. He was recently spotted at Lord’s alongside his wife Anushka Sharma and former India head coach Ravi Shastri, and also his former opener Shikhar Dhawan, watching the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Australia.
