Virat Kohli’s Ruthless Fitness Standards Revealed by Ravi Shastri

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has lifted the curtain on Virat Kohli’s demanding approach to fitness during his captaincy tenure. Speaking on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Shastri revealed that Kohli maintained unwavering commitment to physical excellence and refused to tolerate mediocrity from his teammates. The star batter’s leadership style centered on leading by example, setting benchmarks that every player in the squad was expected to meet.

Kohli’s Direct Approach to Fitness Standards

Kohli’s intensity on fitness matters was evident in his direct communication with underperforming players. According to Shastri, if a player showed signs of sluggishness between the wickets or struggled to complete running between them, Kohli would immediately intervene with direct instructions. “If you’re a lazy bugger, you will soon find out. If you’re looking for a second run and panting while he’s chasing a third, the message would be ‘get to that bloody gym and start training, and get fitter,'” Shastri recalled. This hands-on approach ensured every squad member maintained peak physical condition.

Managing Kohli’s On-Field Intensity

While Kohli’s fitness obsession drove India’s dominance in Tests and two Border-Gavaskar Trophy victories in Australia, Shastri occasionally had to moderate his captain’s intensity during matches. The former coach described instances where Kohli would jump from his seat following a dismissal, eager to confront the exiting batsman. Shastri would counsel patience, advising him to allow players to reach the boundary before engaging. This balance between maintaining standards and managing emotions defined Shastri’s coaching philosophy during Kohli’s captaincy years.

Kohli is now preparing for India’s ODI series against Australia beginning October 19, with aims to continue through the 2027 World Cup.