Virender Sehwag has heaped praise on Virat Kohli for bringing a revolutionary change in world cricket. The former India opener had already retired from international cricket when Virat made this big change in the game.
Few months after Virat became the all-format captain of Team India, the BCCI made it mandatory for players to maintain desired fitness standards. The board made it compulsory for players to clear the yo-yo test. Those who flunked the test were dropped from the squad.
The likes of Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami and Sanju Samson (India A) were among the players who lost their place in the squad. It is still mandatory for the players to clear the yo-yo test to make it to the national squad.
“Hats off to Virat Kohli for starting the trend of fitness in World Cricket. He brings the fitness culture to Indian cricket. He’s the fittest Cricketer of this Era. Now, because of Virat Kohli, every young cricketer wants to be fit,” Sehwag said on Life Savers Show with Neha Bedi.
Sehwag and Virat played together for Team India and Delhi cricket team. Virat played Test and ODI cricket under Sehwag’s captaincy, while Virat never captained Sehwag in international cricket. Sehwag played under Virat’s captaincy in the 2013 NKP Salve Trophy.
Virat Kohli set for ODI return
Virat Kohli is set to make his return to the game in the ODI series against Australia. He has been away from professional cricket since the end of IPL 2025. Virat is now only active in ODI cricket.
Virat quit T20I cricket after winning the 2024 World Cup while he announced a shock retirement from Test cricket in May. The former India captain hasn’t played international cricket since 2025 Champions Trophy. He could play for India A before his return to international cricket. India are scheduled to play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is against Australia.