
A Telegraph picture
New Delhi: Virat Kohli is currently considered one of the fittest sportspersons in the world. In Kohli's own words though, his outlook towards fitness changed after IPL 2012, and a healthier body has not only made him a better batsman but also an improved fielder.
"I was not as focused on my fitness as I am now till the 2012 IPL," said India's Test captain on the sidelines of a promotional on Tuesday.
"I did not listen to my body till then. My attitude changed after the 2012 IPL.
"That was the time when I gradually realised that if I want to compete and stay in international cricket and sustain for a long time, then I have to maintain my fitness.
"After that IPL, I started listening to my body. I made a lifestyle choice. I wanted to explore a new side of my body to take me to the next level.
"Once I realised that, my career took a complete 360-degree turn," he said. "I never wanted to be an average player and realised that to achieve high standards I needed to make changes in my lifestyle.
"I wanted to be the best in the world. So I always had that mindset but never had the physical ability."
One aspect of his fitness that Kohli has particularly focused on is strength training, which Shankar Basu, the Indian team trainer, felt added a new dimension to his batting.
"Kohli once said that he has to tweak his game as he cannot hit sixes like others. This IPL, he hit 38 sixes which is the most this season and 15 more than his last season's tally. There is a definite surge in his power," Basu, who has also worked with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bangalore, had said in an interview to bcci.tv.
"In September we got an assessment of his muscle mass. At the end of the season, we wanted to see if there was a change and what we noticed was his muscle mass had increased dramatically. In the last six months, he has put a lot of time in developing his strength, mass and power."
Kohli, who has been promoting fitness quite a lot these days, said: "When you become fit, you feel you can do anything... Even during my off time now, I don't eat unhealthy food and that has helped me to be disciplined in life.
"I was never a quick fielder and was never comfortable fielding at any position. But now my mind is tuned to do anything...
"Being physically fit makes me feel light and believe that I can compete against anyone and face any bowler. Staying fit has made me a better batsman," said Kohli.
"After becoming fitter, lighter and stronger, I overcame all those doubts... Now it (staying fit, eating right) has become second nature to me."
Asked what kind of fitness schedule should be followed if one aims to become an athlete, Kohli said everyone should have his or her own way of looking at things.
"One should know about his or her strong points and weakness. The key is how you maintain your own fitness," he said.
Kohli hoped his younger colleagues would follow suit. "If you look at some of the statistics (rising health problems in India), it causes fear in your mind," he said.
"So I want to create awareness on fitness, the importance of staying fit and healthy. You would be able to do what you want to do only when you feel fit from inside."
Kohli insisted that parents should educate and encourage the kids to maintain a healthy lifestyle and urged them to concentrate and focus on their wards' eating habits.
"Let's create a healthy lifestyle and give your best in whatever field you choose in life," Kohli said.