‘Fitness’ this term has been used a lot in Indian cricket in the last 5 years. Since Virat Kohli has taken the captaincy reigns he has brought a fitness lifestyle to Indian cricket. Now even team Indian cricketers are top class athletes as the fitness standards have drastically enhanced.
Now the ‘Yo-Yo’ fitness test has become key criteria for players to be selected in the Indian team. The management now makes absolutely no compromises with the fitness of cricketers as it ultimately reflects on their performances on the field. In this feature, we rank the 5 fittest cricketers in the world today who continue to raise the bar for their teammates both on and off the field.
The 5 Fittest Cricketers In World Cricket Today
5. Ben Stokes
Starting the list is the talisman all-rounder of Ben Stokes who has the habit of changing matches on his own. Stokes is supremely fit all year round and is lightning fast on the cricket field. The tag of the one of ‘fittest’ cricketers completely suits Stokes as he can win matches for England in all 3 departments.
Stokes is a live-wire on the field who time and time takes spectacular catches which leaves everyone spellbound. The 30-year-old takes complete care of his nutrition which helps him to be energetic on the field. He can bowl long spells with the ball even after batting which indicates that Stokes is a world-class athlete who is at the peak of his physical condition.
Talking about his career, Stokes has scored 4631 runs and taken 163 wickets in Test cricket, he has also scored 2817 runs in ODI cricket and scalped 74 wickets. He will be next seen in the upcoming IPL 2021 season where he will be playing for Rajasthan Royals.
4. Kagiso Rabada
When you are a fast bowler you just have to put in those extra miles in the gym and be precise with your food. Rabada is a role model for every budding fast bowler as he has the perfect physique which he has built by sweating it out in the gym.
Rabada has a lean frame but can easily bowl at 150 in all formats which makes him one of the leading fast bowlers in the world. Rabada in an interview had mentioned that fitness has now become a huge part of his life as it makes him feel good. He also added that it improves self-confidence and mental power and allows you to be at your best on the cricket field.
At just 25, he has already played 45 Test matches, 77 ODIs, and 26 T20Is for South Africa. He will now be playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021.
3. David Warner
David Warner was a little chubby when he started his international career. After a few years, Warner quickly realised that he needs to improve his fitness standards if he wants to play for Australia for a long time. Warner did just that as he completely changed his diet and started doing high-intensity training. Warner now also works out with his wife and is always doing some physical activity which helps him to stay lean, convert one’s into two’s and play big knocks on the cricket field
Warner is considered one of the great openers of his generation as he has quality numbers in all formats. Thus far he has scored 5455 runs in ODI cricket at 45.08 and 7311 runs in Tests. The Sunrisers Hyderabad captain in IPL has amassed 5254 at an average of 42.71.
2. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is probably the most naturally gifted athlete who has ever played for India. From the very beginning of his career, Jadeja has been extremely athletic and is always creating a run-out in the field. He gets to the ball faster than many cricketers in the world and he does all that with a minimum of effort.
Jadeja is usually seen training for endurance in the gym which means he lifts light weights but performs 20-25 reps in each set. His hard work in the gym translates into his performances on the field as he energised throughout the match and is always an asset for team India in every department. Jadeja is now fully fit and gearing up for IPL 2021 where he will play for CSK.
Also Read: Will Ravindra Jadeja Play CSK Season Opener Against Delhi Capitals?
1. Virat Kohli
Without any surprise, the number 1 on this list has to be Virat Kohli who has developed a fitness culture in Indian cricket. Back in 2012, Kohli decided to become the better and the fittest version of himself. He gave up on all the tasty and started following a strict workout regime in the gym. When it came to diet, Kohli focused on completing his protein intake and gave up on the unnecessary carbohydrates like every world-class athlete.
When he started seeing his improved performances in the field and quick reflexes while batting fitness to him became an addiction. Now the 32-year-old leads from the front on the cricket field as well as the gym where he performs compound lifts and leads the way for all his teammates.
Kohli is an inspiration who continues to master lifts in the gym and continues to be not only the fittest cricketer but one of the fitness sportsmen in the entire world. He is now gearing up for IPL 2021 where he will be leading the Royal Challengers Bangalore who will be chasing their maiden title.
Also Read: Ranking Top 5 IPL commentators Of All Time