Not Anushka Sharma, Wife Of Another India Cricketer Inspired Virat Kohli To Work On Fitness
Updated - 09 Dec 2019, 10:02 AM
The turn of the decade has seen a welcome change in the Indian cricket as far as fitness is concerned, thanks to Virat Kohli. Unlike most of their competitors, the Indian setup rarely gave much importance to fitness in yesteryear. Not surprisingly, India were not considered a top fielding side despite having a plethora of world class players. However, things have changed in the last few years.
The current team is arguably the fittest side in the world and the effect can be seen on the field. While most players of other countries are having a tough time in playing all the three formats, most of the Indian players are constantly playing across formats. The man who deserves credit in this regard is none other than Virat Kohli.
No days off. #one8innerwear pic.twitter.com/ZlSdwSikqb
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 18, 2019
Virat Kohli’s transformation as one of the best if not the best batsman in the world is as amazing as his remarkable improvement in fitness. Although athletic from his early days, the current India skipper arrived at the international stage with a chubby face but has now transformed into probably the fittest cricketer in the world. Fitness is now a top priority for selection in the national side.
Kohli inspired by squash queen:
While Virat Kohli has been seen training with his wife Anushka Sharma every now and then, former India trainer Shankar Basu has revealed that the cricket star was motivated to work on his fitness by another lady. Basu revealed that it was in 2014 when Virat saw Dipika train that he got motivated. Dipika, meanwhile, was already dating India star Dinesh Karthik at that time and both got married a few months later in 2015.
“The first two-three years, we used to train only in the summer during IPL. Actually, he got inspired after seeing Dipika Pallikal (squash player) train. He was astonished to learn about the demands of an individual sport. Then he asked ‘why can’t I do the same’,” Basu, who is the trainer of Royal Challengers Bangalore, told reporters on Saturday.
Basu was speaking on the occasion of 10-year anniversary of his Primal Patterns, a holistic fitness studio and knowledge centre. Karthik and Dipika were also present at the occasion Basu further insisted that Virat hasn’t scaled the peak of fitness yet.
“I think he can do a little more exploring,” said Basu. “As Kohli knows, the sky is the limit in fitness. I always used to tell him that ‘Usain Bolt and Novak Djokovic should be your idols and you have miles to go’. He is constantly looking for that extra edge; something extra to enhance his performance.”
