Ravi Shastri has spoken highly of Virat Kohli and how much the batter prioritizes his physical regime (Images via Getty Images)

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has praised Virat Kohli’s unmatched fitness standards and preparation, calling his work ethic “special” during an episode of the Willow Talk podcast on the LiSTNR Sport channel. Shastri highlighted how Kohli’s dedication helped raise fitness benchmarks across Indian cricket. “You know, even fitness standards had to improve. When you looked at Australia, New Zealand, England, we were way behind. So you had to get up to compete there, otherwise you’ll be kings in your backyard. The moment you go outside, you’ll be smashed,” Shastri said. He added that Kohli’s influence went beyond personal training. “It had to be collective, not just one individual doing it. So, when you had a captain like Virat leading from the front in that department, you know the others wanted to emulate him.” Shastri described Kohli’s rigorous routines, both in the gym and on the field. “Forget the gym — whether he’s out for zero, I remember him getting out early in Cape Town and he came to the nets at the Centurion. Then he batted for 45 minutes, then went back in and asked Ragu, a slinger who can crank it up at 150-160 from 16 yards, to go after him. Virat wanted him to come after him on a dodgy pitch… But he was relentless.”While the former coach was concerned for Kohli and his fitness, the batter did exceptionally well and came out unscathed from the challenge he set for himself. The 63-year-old also praised Kohli’s discipline and energy during practice sessions. “At the ground, day after day, there’s a routine. He will do his warm-ups, his stretching, take 50 catches in the slip cordon, then go into the outfield for ground fielding, then take a knock, and then go in. The energy he would bring to the table day in, day out was unreal.” Shastri then gave an example of how Kohli’s obsession with fitness was much more than infectious and how it sent a strong message to his teammates as well. “If you’re a lazy bugger running between the wickets, he’s going, ‘You’ll soon find out… He’ll be looking for the third, and you’ve not even finished your second run.’ Immediately, the message is: get to that bloody gym and start training. And get fitter.”

Kohli, who won the IPL final with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in June and hasn’t played professionally since, arrived in Australia with teammates Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill. He was seen training in the nets, doing sprints and practicing with the squad ahead of India’s first ODI against Australia, scheduled for October 19. Shastri’s insights offer a glimpse into why Kohli remains one of the fittest and most driven players in world cricket, setting a benchmark for his teammates and the next generation as well.