The third edition of the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit took place today, with Virat Kohli commenting on the level of fitness displayed by Indian hockey players.
He noticed the impressive physicality of their sport and acknowledged that cricketers are not currently comparable to hockey players in terms of fitness.
Virat Kohli said, in his opinion, fitness is something that is simply expected from professional athletes, and it should not be something hard to obtain.
He said, “I know people sometimes look at fitness as something extraordinary, but for me it’s simply what the job demands. It should be the norm, not something celebrated as special. Cricket is in such prime focus in our country that we often overlook other sports.”
He continued saying, “If I’m being brutally honest, we are not even 15% of the fitness of an Indian hockey player. If the hockey players watch our training sessions, they’d probably laugh because their sport demands far more physicality,” he added.
Read More
Harmanpreet Singh Reacts to Virat Kohli’s Comment
Comments made by Virat Kohli found a strong connection with a significant portion of the Indian hockey team. Players on the team felt that Virat Kohli was finally giving them some recognition for how difficult and physically demanding modern hockey has become.
In response to Virat’s comment, Harmanpreet Singh said, “We had a great conversation around fitness not too long ago at an event. He told me hockey is such a fast sport, and was curious to know about our fitness benchmarks. We spoke about the yo-yo test and when I told him that even our goalkeepers score above 20, he was genuinely surprised. We had a wonderful discussion and shared experiences around training and fitness.”
He also said, “I am grateful that someone like Virat Kohli brought attention to the fitness standards of hockey players because ours is one of the fastest and most physically demanding sports in the world. Recognition like this means a lot to the hockey community.”
Manpreet Singh explains why modern hockey demands elite endurance
Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh also said something similar and explained why fitness is so important in modern hockey.
He said, “Hockey today is incredibly fast. The ball travels from one end to the other within seconds and players are constantly moving, pressing and transitioning. The game demands top-level fitness because our sport is built on speed, endurance and continuous running.”
Manpreet Singh also praised Virat Kohli for revolutionising fitness. He said, “Fitness not only helps physically but also keeps you mentally prepared to perform at your best. Virat Kohli is among the fittest athletes in the world and he transformed the fitness culture within Indian cricket. His discipline, commitment and lifestyle inspire millions. For someone like him to acknowledge our hard work and fitness standards means a lot and we are thankful that he chose to shine a light on it.”
Hardik Singh highlights packed schedules and recovery demands
One of the star midfielders, Hardik Singh also commented back on Virat Kohli’s praise and told how Virat’s statement motivated players.
He said, “Virat Kohli has performed for India under immense pressure for years and has set standards for fitness that athletes across sports look up to. So when someone of his stature says this, it means a lot to the hockey community.”
Hardik continued saying, “We play back-to-back matches in tournaments like the Pro League and at the Olympics, where we can play seven matches in eleven days with a limited squad. That requires supreme fitness and recovery. Coming from an icon like Virat, these words are huge and very motivating for all of us.”
Read More
Virat Kohli’s remarks echo Paddy Upton’s earlier praise
Virat Kohli’s comments on how to improve Indian hockey Players are similar to the positive feedback Indian hockey players have received in the past from prominent South African Mental Conditioning Coach Paddy Upton.
Paddy Upton, who was associated with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team ahead of the Paris Olympics and also worked with MS Dhoni’s Indian Cricket Team for the Cricket World Cup title in 2011, has made past statements praising the professionalism and quality of conditioning standards displayed within the Indian Hockey Team.
At the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar, Paddy Upton made comments regarding how high the physical and professional standards of the Indian Hockey Team are compared to what he has witnessed in elite sports during his career.
During the same conversation, he commented that while Virat Kohli is an exceptional athlete in terms of fitness as a cricketer, the members of the Indian Hockey Team meet or exceed (condition-wise) other players considered to be top athletes, and he compared some members of the Indian Hockey Team to being “18 or 20 Virat Kohlis.”
Virat Kohli’s comments have also created renewed awareness of the fitness culture in Indian Hockey as the Indian Hockey Team continues to develop as one of the best teams in the world.
Also Read: India U18 Men Bounce Back With Stunning 6-3 Win Over Australia; Women Fall Short
