Virat Kohli gave up fast food items like butter chicken, mutton rolls to focus on fitness, says Coach Rajkumar Sharma

The Indian captain is known for his fitness and the amount of hard work he puts in off the field

It is not just Virat Kohli‘s batting that has many fans, but there are many who admire his fitness level as well. The Indian captain is known for his fitness and the amount of hard work he puts in off the field. It is courtesy this fitness Kohli has played those long innings, and one can hardly see him cramping.

Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has revealed that he used to like butter chicken, mutton and kathi rolls the most and shunned them to concentrate on his fitness.

“Kohli once told me, if I don’t set the benchmark as captain, who else will? Even as the world looks on in wonder, I know the boy behind the man. He used to gorge on butter chicken, rolls and all sorts of fast food. But today, it finds no place in his diet,” said Sharma while talking to the CricketNext. Also Read- Virat Kohli reveals why he failed on 2014 England tour

“In fact, he is so particular about his diet, that even when he comes over to my place, he won’t have packaged juices. You either give him fresh fruit juice or you don’t. Carbs are a strict no-no and there are no binge days in his routine anymore,” he added.

His childhood coach adds that the sacrifice Kohli has made at a young age is unmatchable. “See, it is easy to do these things for a short or particular span of time. But to make it a constant routine and lifestyle is what makes me proud. The kind of sacrifices he has made at this young age is something that even we can’t at our age.

“It takes a lot of devotion and focus to restructure your lifestyle to this extent. He has cut down on carbs and doesn’t even have rotis now. It is either grilled or boiled food for him. Even his coffee is without sugar and definitely no packaged juices for him,” he said.

Rajkumar also gave credit to trainers in the team. “I would be lying if I take all the credit for this. Yes, I did suggest working out for a couple of hours and maintaining discipline, but credit also goes to the trainers in the team as they made him further believe the importance of physical fitness and its direct effect on the game. Also Read- Will make sure Indian cricket stays on top till the last day I play: Virat Kohli

“In the last two or three years, he has taken fitness and his eating habits to a different level. He takes it so seriously that he got a gym built in his new house. He has this belief that fitness is very important if you have to succeed in international cricket. And his only goal in life is to keep raising the bar,” he said.

Rajkumar ends with saying that because of his fitness Kohli is able to run well between the wickets, which happens to be one of the main features of his batting.

“Talent was never a problem with Kohli, but then, the effect of the gruelling fitness regime is that he has more stamina and can keep picking the singles and doubles and turn the singles into doubles. He doesn’t tire down and hence the need to play risky shots go out of the equation. Whatever be his work schedule or travel scene, he always finds time to hit the gym.”