The strength and conditioning coach with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ankit Kaliyar has shared that Team India captain Rohit Sharma is as fit as Virat Kohli. Kaliyar added that while Rohit has a “bulky” frame, it doesn’t mean that he is not fit enough for the game. He also mentioned that the Indian captain also successfully clears the Yo-Yo test consistently as well.
During a conversation with TOI, Kaliyar said: “Rohit Sharma is a fit player. He has good fitness. He looks a bit bulky but he always passes the Yo-Yo test. He is as fit as Virat Kohli. He looks like he is bulky but we have seen him on the field. His agility and mobility is amazing. He is among the fittest cricketers. Shubman (Gill) is very fit. Not just fit, he is a very skillful player. There is no doubt that Shubman is inspired by Virat bhai. Be it batting, fitness, or skill, Shubman is following Virat bhai. I am sure Shubman will be doing well for the country in the coming years.”
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However, Ankit Kaliyar has worked as a strength and conditioning coach with many domestic teams and he has also closely monitored many Team India stars. Kaliyar also opined on Virat Kohli’s fitness, saying that the star batter is arguably the fittest cricketer in the world. He also added that the former India captain religiously follows a very strict routine as well.
He said, “Virat Kohli is the fittest player in the Indian team and the world. The reason behind that is that he’s following a strict schedule. Whether he’s playing or not, he follows or takes care of his nutrition, training, supplementation, and conditioning part really well. He is very religious about his regime and routine. He’s the fittest athlete in India and throughout the world.”
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“Virat is a leading example when it comes to fitness. He has created a culture of fitness in the team. When your top player is so fit, then you become an example for others. He injects confidence in others. When he was the captain, he ensured everyone remained fit. Fitness was his top parameter in the team,” he added. “He has created that culture and discipline in the team. That atmosphere was created by Virat bhai and it’s a commendable thing. He is the reason why all the Indian players are so fit,” Ankit Kaliyar concluded.
