India skipper Virat Kohli’s physical transformation has grabbed many eyeballs in the last seven years or so. In fact, several members of the Indian cricket team got inspired by his fitness regime and started training with discipline.
Kohli, who is the only batsman to average 50+ in all three formats of the game, has often attributed his success with the willow to his intense fitness regime.
Recently, India head coach Rahul Dravid too acknowledged Kohli’s obsession with fitness. He credited the Indian Test captain for driving a culture of fitness and energy levels within the team.
"I was there when Virat Kohli made his debut, I was there when he played his first Test match and I batted with him in that particular game. It is actually phenomenal to see how he has grown as a cricketer in the last 10 years, just the kind of performances he has had for the team. The way he has led the team and it has been terrific. He has driven a culture of fitness and energy levels among the team. I am looking forward to work with him, he just keeps evolving and he keeps pushing himself," Dravid told bcci.tv.
Team India are currently on the tour of South Africa, where they will play three Tests and ODIs each. The tour will get underway with the opening Test in Centurion on December 26.
Commenting on the upcoming series against South Africa, Dravid said: "It has been a great country to tour and a very challenging place to play cricket but also an exciting place to play the game. I have some fond memories associated with playing in South Africa, having won Test match here as a captain. Had some tough games here also, we reached the final of the 2003 World Cup, that was a really good memory. So it is a place that is very passionate about their cricket, games are well supported and well attended. Really looking forward to the series."
"There is an expectation to win now, everytime India travels abroad irrespective where it is and whatever format we are playing, the expectation is that we are good enough to win and compete. It is not easy, South Africa is one of the challenging conditions to play cricket in, they do play well at home so we need to be at our best to win here," he added.
The coach is pleased with the preparation ahead of the Test series, which is part of the second World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
"We have had some good practice sessions, I have been happy with the intensity guys have put in. The mental mindsight I can see among the players has been really good. We are preparing well and yeah we will take it from there," said Dravid.
"We have a few options, guys can come in and step in and perform at the international level and it is a great sign for Indian cricket. Sometimes there are challenging and difficult decisions you need to take but more we build on that depth, then it gives us an opportunity for us to be competitive on the day irrespective of the XI we play," he further stated.
(With ANI inputs)
