India captain Virat Kohli has been known for his fitness regime and it is well known that he has been a major factor behind the transformation in the team as well. Talking about Kohli’s role in enhancing the fitness of the Indian players, fast bowler Ishant Sharma has credited the skipper.
Ishant further added that a player could make it into the side only on the basis of skill but there is an additional requirement of being fit.
“He [Kohli] has set an example for everyone. Take the case of fat percentage – before him, I had never heard of it being spoken about in the Indian team. It was totally about skill. But now, along with skill, it is also about fitness,” said Ishant while talking to ESPNCricinfo.
“So if you eat well, you stay strong in the field, maintain your fitness, your energy. After what he did for himself, totally changed the system in the Indian team.”
The right-arm pacer also shared his diet plan during the matches.“While playing I just have a normal protein shake. If I have normal lunch then I just have water, but if I haven’t had lunch, I will add nuts, almond milk, banana, and protein,” he said.
Ishant would be now in action for Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2021 while Kohli will lead RCB. DC is slated to begin their IPL 2021 campaign against CSK in Mumbai on April 10. The franchise appointed Rishabh Pant as the new skipper of the side after Shreyas Iyer injured himself during the England series at home and will be unavailable for the major part of the tournament.
RCB on the other side will start the proceedings against defending champions Mumbai Indians in Chennai in the opening clash of the tournament.