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Virat Kohli hails Indian hockey players’ fitness, says that cricketers aren’t even 15% as fit, sparking strong reactions from the hockey community.
Virat Kohli has lauded hockey players’ fitness standards
Ace India batter Virat Kohli has said that cricketers don’t have even 15% of the fitness of hockey players, in a claim that has now gone viral on social media and has drawn heartfelt reactions from Indian hockey players.
Kohli is considered one of the fittest cricketers of the modern generation and coming from him, the statement has expectedly garnered a lot of attention.
Notably, while cricket has become a fitness-driven sport, with Kohli being one of the flagbearers of fitness standards, hockey seemingly needs a lot more stamina.
“I know people sometimes look at fitness as something extraordinary, but for me, it is what the job demands. It should be the norm, not something celebrated as special,” Kohli said while speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit.
“Cricket is in such prime focus in our country that we often overlook other sports. If I am being honest, we aren’t even 15% of the fitness of an Indian hockey player. If the hockey players watch our training sessions, they would laugh because their sport demands far more,” Kohli added.
The Indian hockey community has welcomed the ace batter’s remarks as an acknowledgement of the intense discipline demanded by modern hockey.
“Virat Kohli has performed for India under immense pressure for years and has set standards for fitness that athletes across sports look up to. So when someone of his stature says this, it means a lot to the hockey community,” star Indian midfielder Hardik Singh said.
Kohli’s remarks echo earlier praise from figures associated with Indian hockey. During the Hero Asia Cup Rajgir, Bihar 2025, South African mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton lauded the Indian Men’s Hockey Team for its commitment, fitness and high professional standards.
“We had a great conversation around fitness not too long ago at an event. He told me hockey is such a fast sport and was curious to know about our fitness benchmarks,” Harmanpreet Singh said.
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