"The younger generation may feel like..." - Faf du Plessis cites example of 'very fit' Virat Kohli while sharing advice for youngsters

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis heaped rich praise on Virat Kohli for his fitness ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He said that India batter is a great example for youngsters in terms of how to maintain their fitness.

Virat Kohli is one of the fittest cricketers in the World cricket currently. The batter has changed the dynamics of the Indian team as well as the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with the standards that he has set in terms of being fit and is pushing other players as well.

From being a chubby boy to one of the fittest athletes, his journey has been nothing short of exceptional. The amount of hard work that he puts in is a huge example for any youngster who wants to take up the sport and wants to make the India batter his role model.

Even being in mid 30s, Virat Kohli seems as fit as any young player who has started playing the game of cricket. The batter is often seen training in the gym in his free time and the hard work of that is visible when he steps on the field for the Indian team and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Faf du Plessis, who will be captaining RCB in the IPL 2024, highlighted how Virat Kohli trains and sends valuable advice to the youngsters. The RCB skipper said that although the young guns will have talent but fitness will play a huge role in their career. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:

“He’s amazing, he trains hard, he’s very fit. I feel in today’s age of sport, you have to be like that if you’re looking for longevity. So, he will be a great example. The younger generation may feel like they can just come in and rely on their talent.

“Yes, they are good enough in terms of talent. But in terms of longevity in your body to make sure you can play for as long as possible, fitness will definitely play a role.”

Virat Kohli and I are very similar – Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis further talked about his relationship with Virat Kohli, stating that he and the India batter are similar in most things. He highlighted how both of them think about approaching the game in the same way.

The RCB skipper stressed that their thinking being the same was the main reason why they connected when he joined RCB. He explained:

“There are quite a few things that Virat and I are very similar, alike in the way we see the game or think about the game. Obviously (we think about being) athletic, train hard, be fit, eat well.

“So, we look at a holistic approach to being a professional sportsman. I think that’s why we connected so well in my first season at RCB. We were very similar.”

Virat Kohli is currently enjoying his time off. He took a break from the ongoing five-match Test series against England as he wanted to stay with her wife as the couple welcomed their second child in London. The batter is now expected to make a comeback in the IPL 2024. He will be vital for his team in the tournament and is expected to open the innings alongside Faf du Plessis.