India skipper Virat Kohli’s physical transformation has grabbed many eyeballs in the last five years or so. In fact, several members of the Indian cricket team even got inspired by his fitness regime and consequently started training with discipline, resulting in improved performances.
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India’s fielding coach R Sridhar recently opined on how the team is one of the best fielding sides in world cricket due to fitness culture and that Kohli deserves huge credit for it.
“We planned for that 2019 World Cup and to a large extent we achieved that. We really brought the gap between a good day and bad day and we ended up as probably one of the most consistent fielding teams there, we dropped a little bit in the tour of New Zealand in the one day series, which can happen to any team, there was a bit of a transition but also I thought we took a foot off the pedal a little bit, but again that Test match, although we lost I think it was a fantastic effort from the boys, turning it on, Umesh, Virat and Jaddu. I mean that’s what it is, we’ve got to be more consistent and it all comes from Virat Kohli,” Sridhar told FanCode.
He also added that Kohli has done wonders to every single level of Indian cricket.
“Virat Kohli has done wonders, to not only the Indian cricket team but percolating down to every single level of Indian cricket.”
Fitness is paramount for selection in the current Indian team and Sridhar explained how seriously Kohli takes the fielding department.
“For Virat, it’s a non-negotiable. Non-negotiable. A slow mover on the field or someone not giving 100% on the field, that’s it - non negotiable with him and that kind of an intensity is what he produces and for a youngster if he just watches it, it should spur him on and he made it mandatory for each and every fielder, not now, I’m talking about 2015, his first full series as Captain in Sri Lanka, he said no optional sessions in fielding, Those who turn up on the ground have to turn up with the fielding coach for 20 minutes of catching. You don’t have an out there so that is what he brought in, first day, I remember. You’re captain and he walks the talk, doesn’t he?” the fielding coach remarked.
