Virat Kohli is a 'freak', says former conditioning coach Basu
One of the biggest changes which current Indian captain Virat Kohli brought is the focus on fitness and diet. In the same light, outgoing conditioning coach Shankar Basu expressed his satisfaction about the fitness level of the players. Further, he is vastly impressed with Kohli's fitness regimen. He said Kohli is a freak who hardly had a cheat day in the last two years.
What is a Cheat Day?
Cheat Day stands for 'a day on which a person following a diet disregards restrictions on the amount or the kind of food they can eat'.
Basu calls Kohli a 'freak' for his intense fitness
Basu revealed that Kohli has not had a cheat day in the past two years. He even called him a 'freak', due to his fitness level. He is also impressed in the manner he has inspired the fitness level of pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami. "When you see someone like him, it is difficult not to be inspired," said Basu.
His cheat days come once in a blue moon: Basu
"His cheat days come once in a blue moon, I have not seen him take one in the last two years. I am telling you that fellow is a freak. There will be months together he would go on," added Basu.
They have embraced the change, feels Basu
Basu further revealed that Kohli has set an example regarding the fitness level, which everyone now in the team has started following. Basu explained that once the team began to notice the change, they started embracing it. "Now, we have come to a stage, even if they want to leave it, they won't be able to. It is ingrained in their system," Basu noted.
Really enjoyed working with Bumrah and Shami: Basu
"It is not only Virat, everybody has bought into it now. But, I really enjoyed working with Bumrah and Shami, fast bowlers clocking 145kmph is very heartening to see and you have another whole lot clocking 140 plus. It can't happen overnight," asserted Basu.
Basu rates Ravindra Jadeja as the most natural athlete
On being asked about the most gifted athlete in the team, Basu promptly picked all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. He praised his enigma, moves on the field and fielding techniques, despite not spending insane amount of time in the gym. "He was a roadrunner and I understood that very early and let him be. So, it was all about horses for courses," concluded Basu.
India start their Windies tour with T20I series
India are set to lock horns with the Windies in the first T20I in Florida on Saturday. India's tour of Windies includes three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests. Notably, Bumrah was handed a rest for the white-ball series.
