Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma (AFP)
Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma (AFP)

Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma lauded current India captain Virat Kohli for bringing in positive changes in terms of fitness in the team since taking over from MS Dhoni. According to the veteran fast bowler, the levels of fitness of players have enhanced since Kohli has taken over as the captain.

Ishant and Kohli have been close since their U19 days and have shared a lot of good memories. Kohli even recalled being the one to give Ishant the news of his selection in the Indian team back in 2007.

Ishant sharma
India fast bowler Ishant Sharma (BCCI)

In the leadership of Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri, the Indian team has focused hard on the fitness of players and stamina and endurance making tests like the yo-yo fitness test and 2-km run mandatory for players to be eligible for the selection in the Indian national cricket team.

It Was Totally About Skill Before Virat Kohli Took Over, Now I Heard About Fat Percentage And Other Things: Ishant Sharma

The 32-year-old Delhi pacer revealed that he was surprised to hear things like fat percentage being discussed by Virat Kohli, given that earlier it was only about the skills and not much about fitness. The Indian captain sets high standards of fitness for himself and his team. This has also helped the Indian team to get fitter and better on the field.

Never Had Fat Percentage Being Discussed In Team Before Virat Kohli Became Captain: Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. Image-Twitter.

“No, but he set an example for everyone, for sure. Take the case of fat percentage – before him, I had never heard of it being spoken about in the Indian team. It was totally about skill. But now, along with skill, it is also about fitness. So if you eat well, you stay strong in the field, maintain your fitness, your energy. After what he did for himself, totally changed the system in the Indian cricket team,” Ishant said in an interaction with ESPNCricinfo.

Ishant had made his Test debut at the age of 19 in 2007 against Bangladesh and recently played his 100th Test, which came in the recent Test series against England at home. He also completed 300 wickets in the format as well.

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Ishant has found a second wind of sorts under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, who has used him as a wicket-taking bowler. Under his Delhi teammate, Ishant has played 40 Tests picking 113 wickets at an average of 25.53.

Also Read: Ishant Sharma Should Play Atleast 150 Test Matches: Amit Mishra