India's captain, Rohit Sharma, showered praise on the unwavering commitment to fitness exhibited by his predecessor, Virat Kohli. Speaking during the first Test against England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Rohit acknowledged Kohli's exceptional fitness regimen, highlighting that Kohli has never availed the services of the National Cricket Association (NCA) throughout his career.
Despite Kohli opting out of the first two Tests for personal reasons, India faced a 28-run defeat to England after securing a substantial 190-run lead in the first innings. Rohit Sharma, in a discussion with veteran cricketer Dinesh Karthik, emphasized the importance of young players drawing inspiration from Kohli's dedication.
"Virat Kohli has never been to NCA in his entire career. I would say that all the younger players should look up to the passion that he has. Leave alone how he plays the cover drive, flick, cut but first things first you have to understand what is the quality of the players that makes him where he is today,” Rohit shared during the conversation on JioCinema.
Kohli had initially joined the Indian team in Hyderabad ahead of the first Test but chose not to participate in an optional training session before withdrawing from the first two Tests after discussing the matter with Rohit and the team management.
Reflecting on Kohli's mindset, Rohit stated, “I have watched Kohli enough. He can easily be satisfied with what he has achieved. He can say that I will take it easy in these 2-3 series, I will come later, but he is always there for the team. That mindset of being hungry and not complacent cannot be taught. You have to learn that by looking at the others. It has to come from within. I cannot teach you that.” Kohli's enduring dedication serves as a valuable lesson for aspiring cricketers, reinforcing the importance of internal motivation and an unyielding work ethic.
(With Agency Inputs)
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