There has been some discussion around Virat Kohli’s decision to undergo his fitness tests in London rather than joining the rest of the Indian players at the National Cricket Academy’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. While the move sparked debate among fans and experts over whether an exemption was justified, it is important to note that Kohli not only cleared his assessments but did so with outstanding results.
Interestingly, Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri revealed that Kohli had even shared a few of his test results with him from London.
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Kohli and Chhetri have been good friends for years, often bonding over their mutual obsession with fitness. During the Covid-19 lockdown, the duo frequently inspired fans by exchanging thoughts on training, diet, and discipline. Chhetri has often spoken about Kohli’s relentless drive, and in a recent podcast appearance, he offered yet another example of it.
"A few days back, he (Kohli) was sending me his scores of one of the tests he was doing. It is so addictive, and it is so good to know these kinds of people. On your bad days when you feel a bit lethargic, you see them and think, 'let's go'. When you are at the top, everyone wants to be a Virat Kohli or Ronaldo, and for these two to keep their place is unbelievable," Chhetri said on the Desi Premier League Podcast.
Drawing comparisons between Kohli and Cristiano Ronaldo, Chhetri highlighted how both athletes continue to set benchmarks despite no longer being at their absolute peak. According to him, their fitness levels still surpass many players in their twenties.
"I don't know Ronaldo personally. I have watched him, studied him. I know Virat. The one common thing about these two is that they are just not happy with what they have already achieved. I tried in my own way to inculcate the same thing because once you start getting into that circle where you start thinking about what you have done, good or bad, then you are not on the same track that you want to be," Chhetri explained.
He further underlined the mindset required to sustain greatness for such a long time. "Whatever happened today, gaya (it is over). Otherwise, how does a Virat Kohli or Ronaldo get up and again be at their best?. It is not easy. When you are successful for so long, when you have done so much, when you have won almost everything, to still get up and do what they are doing is unbelievable," he added.
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