"He has a different doctor, a different trainer" - Virat Kohli’s 2011 World Cup teammate explains why he is among the fittest cricketers in the world
Star Team India batter Virat Kohli's fitness transformation left the cricketing world in shock after he made significant changes to his lifestyle and training following the 2012 edition of the Indian Premier League. There was a big shift in his mindset that eventually made him one of the fittest cricketers in the world.
Kohli's friend and 2011 World Cup teammate Suresh Raina recently opened up about the steps the right-handed batter takes to maintain his fitness. The cricketer-turned-commentator disclosed that the former captain has a different doctor and trainer for himself.
During an interview with News24, Raina said:
"He is from Delhi, people from Delhi are big foodies, now he is super fit. He has a different doctor, a different trainer, that’s why he is among the fittest cricketers in the world right now."
Virat Kohli is currently in Australia with India's Test team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He kicked off the series with an unbeaten 100-run knock in the opening encounter in Perth. However, he bagged twin failures in the subsequent pink ball Test in Adelaide, registering scores of 7 and 11.
"2012 IPL, I came back home and saw myself, was disgusted" - When Virat Kohli revealed the reason behind his fitness transformation
During a chat with Mayank Agarwal on 'Open Nets with Mayank', Virat Kohli disclosed that he was disgusted when he saw his out-of-shape self in the mirror after IPL 2012. Kohli stated that it sparked a drive in him to improve his fitness.
He said:
"2012 IPL, I came back home and saw myself, was disgusted. I just wanted to change everything about myself. I also saw how the dynamics of cricket around the world were changing rapidly and how I felt we were far behind in intensity levels as other teams. They were moving far ahead of us in terms of fitness levels.
"That really bothered me and it had to start at an individual level first and that realisation came to me after that IPL season in 2012 when I was eating anything that was kept in front of me. ITC Gardenia is where we used to stay, they would have a packet of Eclairs toffees in the mini-bar and they would refill it every time. I would finish a pack in 4-5 days’ time, and that was a pack of 40 toffee."
Virat Kohli will be seen in action in the upcoming third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. The match will be played in Brisbane from December 14.