'Get to the bloody gym!': Ravi Shastri reveals how Virat Kohli made fitness message clear to young players

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has praised Virat Kohli ’s unmatched fitness standards and preparation, calling his work ethic “special” during an episode of the Willow Talk podcast on the LiSTNR Sport channel. Shastri highlighted how Kohli ’s dedication helped raise fitness benchmarks across Indian cricket. “You know, even fitness standards had to improve. When you looked at Australia, New Zealand, England, we were way behind. So you had to get up to compete there, otherwise you'll be kings in your backyard. The moment you go outside, you'll be smashed,” Shastri said. He added that Kohli’s influence went beyond personal training. “It had to be collective, not just one individual doing it. So, when you had a captain like Virat leading from the front in that departme