Virat Kohli unveils inspiration behind fitness revolution in Indian cricket
Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been given the credit for the dramatic change in fitness of the Indian cricket team. He has set the bar and the rest of the cricketers make an effort to match their captain and as a consequence, the team has gained from this.
Previously, the skipper has talked about how he manages his diet and fitness regime and in recent tête-à-tête, Kohli unveiled the effect of football and footballers on cricket.
“We always look up to footballers for their discipline. It’s a requirement of the sport that you need to be at your absolute best to be able to take the field. Football players are very particular about professionalism, in terms of physical preparation, nutrition and rest periods. We learn a lot from them,” Kohli told Times of India.
However, Virat Kohli short of refrain from comparing cricket with football looking at the requirements of both the sports. But he further added that the pacers with their workload come close to the footballers.
“You cannot compare. I think the only people who can be compared to an extent in terms of endurance are fast bowlers. Cricket is not a sport which requires amazing physical endurance. Football is fast and played within 90 minutes where you have to be absolutely fit to take control of the situation. In cricket, the fitness level requirement is not as high (as football). But if you strive to be as fit as footballers, then you do things at a different level in cricket. That’s what we look forward to. If we take our fitness level higher, we will perform at another level. Footballers are way fitter than cricketers,” he further added.
The two heavyweightes, India and South Africa will now go face to face in a three match Test series. The Indian team received a huge blow when Jasprit Bhumrah was excluded from the side owing to a stress fracture. He was replaced by Umesh Yadav.
