Virat Kohli says cricketers have under 15% fitness level of hockey players

At a sports summit in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli sparked widespread discussion by stating that cricketers possess less than 15 percent of the fitness level of Indian hockey players. Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Kohli emphasized that elite fitness should be viewed as a professional standard rather than an extraordinary feat.

Kohli, widely regarded as one of cricket's fittest athletes, made the remarks while discussing the physical demands of different sports. He noted that cricket's prominence in India often overshadows other disciplines. He said that if hockey players observed cricket training sessions, they would likely find them less strenuous, as hockey requires far greater physical endurance.

The comments were warmly received by the Indian hockey community, with several prominent players expressing appreciation for the recognition. National team captain Harmanpreet Singh recalled a recent conversation with Kohli about fitness benchmarks, revealing that the cricketer was surprised to learn that even Indian hockey goalkeepers score above 20 on the rigorous yo-yo endurance test. Singh described Kohli's acknowledgment as...