Team India captain Virat Kohli has revealed how he overcame persistent back pain in 2014 with the guidance of former Indian team strength and conditioning coach Basu Shanker.

In the foreword for Shanker's maiden book '100, 200 Practical Applications in Strength and Conditioning', Virat Kohli recalled how Shanker introduced him to lifting weights which enabled him to become one of the fittest cricketers around. 

"In the latter half of 2014, I found myself with a relentless back issue which was not easing off. Every morning, I had to do a routine for 45 minutes to loosen my back, but the stiffness could come back at any time throughout the day. It was then that Basu sir and I had a conversation around lifting weights and getting overall explosive strength in my body,"  Kohli wrote. 

Shanker worked with the Indian team from 2015-19 and is credited for Kohli and the entire team’s fitness. 

"At first, I wasn't convinced (about lifting), but the only thing Basu sir asked of me was 'trust'. I had full faith in his knowledge and experience,” wrote Kohli.

The batsman revealed that he started lifting in the series against 2015 in Sri Lanka.

Read also: AUSW v INDW 2021: Mithali Raj goes past 20,000 runs in her illustrious cricketing career

"I remember in our series against Sri Lanka in 2015, I started learning to lift from Basu sir, understood the dynamics and the study behind the practice, and felt I was working towards something amazing.

"The results were outstanding, and that changed my perception of S and C and the importance of knowing exactly what you're working towards,” added Kohli.

Kohli, who launched the book on social media on social media, heaped praise on Basu Shanker, who is currently with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

"Basu sir is the best S and C coach I've worked with, and his ability to make you feel at ease with his template is absolutely amazing. Never have I worked with someone who knew exactly how to transform my physique and performance according to my needs, not through a set template that was common to everyone," he said. 

Kohli added that through the book, one could dive into details and knowledge of body transformation. 

"I truly believe through this book, one can dive into the details and the knowledge which can surely transform your perception of what training means, change the way you do things and how you feel about your physique after following the program to the T, as Basu sir likes to say," Kohli added.

(With PTI inputs)