Virat Kohli is currently playing in IPL 2026 for RCB, who have qualified for the playoffs.
Given that Kohli is regarded as one of the most fit cricket players of the current age, the statement has naturally attracted a lot of attention. Notably, hockey seems to require a lot more stamina, whereas cricket has evolved into a fitness-driven sport, with Kohli being one of the pioneers of fitness standards.
“I know people sometimes look at fitness as something extraordinary, but for me, it is what the job demands. It should be the norm, not something celebrated as special. Cricket is in such prime focus in our country that we often overlook other sports. If I am being honest, we aren’t even 15% of the fitness of an Indian hockey player. If the hockey players watch our training sessions, they would laugh because their sport demands far more," Kohli said while speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit.
In the Indian hockey community, Virat Kohli's remarks have struck a deep chord. Players see the praise not only as a compliment but also as acknowledgment of the unrelenting effort and discipline required by contemporary hockey.
In response to Kohli's remarks, Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh recalled a recent conversation with the cricket legend and stated that his remarks were extremely important for the game.
“We had a great conversation around fitness, not too long ago, at an event. He told me hockey is such a fast sport, and was curious to know about our fitness benchmarks. We spoke about the yo-yo test, and when I told him that even our goalkeepers score above 20, he was genuinely surprised. We had a wonderful discussion and shared experiences around training and fitness.
I am grateful that someone like Virat Kohli brought attention to the fitness standards of hockey players because ours is one of the fastest and most physically demanding sports in the world. Recognition like this means a lot to the hockey community,” Harmanpreet Singh was quoted by Hockey India.
Kohli's comments are consistent with past compliments from prominent Indian hockey players. Paddy Upton, a mental conditioning specialist from South Africa, praised the Indian Men's Hockey Team for their dedication, fitness, and excellent professional standards during the Hero Asia Cup Rajgir, Bihar 2025.