Yoga at 5, gym, a double ton, then gym again: How Virat Kohli’s fitness regime inspired a 1983 World Cup winner

How Virat Kohli’s fitness regime inspired a 1983 World Cup winner

Virat Kohli is serious when he claims that being healthy is a way of life rather than a fad. The cricket community has been in awe of his unrelenting dedication, early morning yoga, healthy diet, and intense training sessions for years. However, Kohli's dedication is still astounding to seasoned cricketers who have witnessed decades of glory.

Sandeep Patil, a former Indian cricket player who played for the winning squad in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, recently told Ashish Kaushik an inspirational tale about Haal Chaal Aur Sawaal, describing how one memorable morning in the West Indies permanently altered his outlook on fitness.

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Patil remembers going for an early morning stroll on the beach in Antigua with his wife during India's 2016 tour of the West Indies. “It was pitch dark, and I noticed a shadow sitting quietly. As I went closer, it was Virat doing yoga — at five in the morning, on a match day,” he shared in the interview.

Kohli didn't end there that day. He went to the gym for 45 minutes after yoga, had breakfast, and then scored a double century in the Test match. “When he returned to the hotel after the day’s play, he went back to the gym again,” Patil added, still sounding awed by Kohli’s energy.

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Not only did the event astound him, but it inspired him to take action. “Virat told me, ‘Sandeep bhai, you have a nice height and personality; you should start working out.’ So, for the first time in my life, I went to the gym. I was 60 then,” he said with a laugh.

The culture of Indian cricket has changed as a result of Virat Kohli's fitness revolution. According to a Star Sports story, he started to change about 2012 after realizing that technique and fitness were equally important for high performance. Since then, he usually incorporates exercise, strength training, yoga, and a plant-based diet to maintain his flexibility and lean body throughout the day.

Kohli has frequently stated in interviews that "discipline beats motivation."  He eats largely steamed or boiled food seasoned solely with salt, pepper, and lime, according to a straightforward and monotonous diet plan. “I can eat the same meal three times a day for six months,” he once revealed. His fitness philosophy is a mindset of consistency and self-control that extends beyond the gym. “Food is the toughest part of fitness because it’s a mental game,” he told Star Sports, describing how he maintains his strength well into his late thirties through a balanced diet and exercise regimen.

The fact that Sandeep Patil, a former chief selector for India, went to the gym for the first time at age 60 is a testament to Kohli's impact. Patil's experience is similar to that of many cricket fans and teammates who view Kohli as more than just a player; he has come to represent perseverance, self-control, and development.