Australian opener Travis Head has heaped praise on Virat Kohli, crediting the Indian superstar’s remarkable transformation in his personal life—especially his fitness and mindset—as the key to his enduring success. Speaking in an exclusive chat with News18 CricketNext, Head reflected on what sets Kohli and the rest of the Fab Four—Steven Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson—apart, pointing to their ability to adapt and stay relevant in changing times.

“Longevity is a big one,” Travis Head said when asked what he’d take from the quartet. “They’ve all found different ways to sustain excellence. With Virat, the shift in his fitness, his intensity, and how he’s channelled that into his cricket is just phenomenal.”

Head, who has faced Kohli in several high-stakes battles, including the 2023 ODI World Cup final and the 2021–23 World Test Championship final—both of which Australia won—admits there’s plenty to learn from watching Kohli operate.

ALSO READ: Match 19 (SRH vs GT) – Probable XII and Fantasy XI Predictions

He also highlighted his admiration for his teammate Steve Smith, calling him “one of the great problem-solvers” in modern cricket. “I room with Steve, and watching him think through situations, adjust mid-innings, and his work ethic—it’s something else,” he added.

Currently donning Sunrisers Hyderabad colours in IPL 2025, Head finds himself in a rough patch with the franchise. SRH have managed just one win from their first four games, placing them at the bottom of the table. They’ll look to bounce back when they host Gujarat Titans in their fifth fixture this Sunday.

ALSO READ: Match 19 (SRH vs GT) – 3 Player Battles To Watch Out For

On the other hand, Virat Kohli continues to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru from the front. RCB started the season strong with two wins but stumbled against the Titans in their third outing. Their next big test comes on Monday, when they face the formidable Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.