Former India captain Rohit Sharma has once again become the centre of attention after a viral training video showcased his noticeably leaner and sharper look ahead of the India vs New Zealand ODI series. As Team India prepares for the three-match contest starting January 11 in Vadodara, Rohit’s physical transformation has sparked widespread discussion across social media, with fans and experts alike impressed by the veteran opener’s renewed fitness.
Rohit arrived in Vadodara ahead of the first ODI and is expected to play a pivotal role at the top of the order alongside Virat Kohli. Having retired from Test cricket in May last year, the 37-year-old is now fully committed to white-ball cricket, with a clear focus on extending his dominance in the ODI format.
The upcoming series against New Zealand presents another opportunity for Rohit to set the tone as India builds momentum for major ICC events. The viral clip, widely shared online, shows Rohit batting fluently in the nets, looking agile, quick on his feet, and in complete control.
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Fans were quick to react, with several calling him “barely recognisable” and some even suggesting he appeared “leaner than Kohli.” Adding to the intrigue, Rohit was also seen wearing a new helmet, hinting at subtle changes to his preparation routine. One standout moment from the session saw Rohit step confidently into a delivery and launch a towering straight six, a reminder that his power game remains intact despite the visible weight loss.
Rohit Sharma putting in the work at the nets before the NZ ODI series. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8k9I5R6ZD9
— Ramesh (@kumr_ramesh25) January 6, 2026
Rohit Sharma is barely recognizable in this clip. Unreal fitness. pic.twitter.com/mFCGLRacK8
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) January 6, 2026
This angle of Rohit Sharma’s lofted straight drive.🥵🔥 https://t.co/OJbsovvwgK pic.twitter.com/M9oqSWQ0nz
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) January 6, 2026
Large crowds gathered at the MCA Ground in Mumbai to watch him train, underlining his enduring popularity. A light-hearted moment also went viral when a fan offered Rohit a vada pav, which he politely declined with a smile, further fuelling online chatter about his fitness focus. Rohit’s transformation follows a highly successful year in international cricket.
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In 2025, he captained India to the ICC Champions Trophy title, scoring a decisive 76 in the final. He also became the top-ranked ODI batter for the first time, climbed to third on India’s all-time ODI run-scorers list, and became the fourth Indian to cross 20,000 international runs. Rohit ended the year with 650 ODI runs in 14 innings at an average of 50, reaffirming his status as one of India’s greatest white-ball batters.
