Former India hockey captain Manpreet Singh has thrown an exciting challenge towards Virat Kohli and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad, saying the Indian hockey team would love to host the cricketers for a joint fitness and training session. The suggestion comes after Kohli recently admitted that Indian cricketers are nowhere close to matching the fitness levels of hockey players.

Speaking during an interaction with RevSportz, Manpreet responded to comparisons between hockey players and cricketers, particularly around endurance and Yo-Yo tests. Kohli has long been regarded as one of the fittest cricketers in the world, but the Indian hockey star believes a friendly challenge between the two teams would be fascinating for fans and athletes alike.

“Obviously. We want to invite Virat and the entire RCB team to come and do a training session with us. We will compete against each other,” Manpreet Singh said with a smile.

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The conversation gained momentum after Kohli, during the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, openly praised the extraordinary fitness standards maintained by Indian hockey players. The former India captain had admitted that cricketers would struggle to keep up with hockey’s physical demands, a statement that quickly went viral across social media.

INDIA HOCKEY PLAYER MANPREET SINGH ON VIRAT KOHLI: 🐐

– “Virat Kohli is a role model for millions. I thank him for recognising our hard work and telling it to the world”. (Indian Hockey). pic.twitter.com/xjaGemNYsP

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 20, 2026

Despite the fitness comparisons, Manpreet made it clear that both sports demand completely different skill sets and levels of preparation. While hockey players rely heavily on stamina, speed and nonstop movement, he acknowledged that facing express pace bowlers in cricket is equally challenging.

“If you look, their game is also difficult. If you ask us to bat, that will be difficult too. The ball comes at 150 kph speed and that is not easy,” Manpreet Singh explained. “His game’s requirement is different and ours is too. Cricket needs batting skills, reflexes, positioning and eye coordination,” he added.

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Kohli’s fitness revolution has transformed Indian cricket over the last decade. His dedication to conditioning, recovery and discipline inspired a cultural shift within the national team and franchise cricket. At the same time, Indian hockey players continue to be recognised among the fittest athletes in the country because of the sport’s relentless physical intensity.

The possibility of Kohli, RCB, and the Indian hockey team sharing a training session has already excited fans, who would love to see two elite Indian sporting teams test themselves against each other.