'Kohli has returned in much better shape', says Shanker Basu
Royal Challengers Bangalore's strength and conditioning coach, Shanker Basu believes skipper Virat Kohli has come back from the COVID-19 break fitter than earlier. Basu, who has worked with Kohli even in the national team, highlighted how he had been sweating it out despite the lockdown. Recently, Kohli attended the franchise's first training session in UAE ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
Kohli at his best wight presently: Basu
Basu revealed how Kohli made the most of the COVID-19 break. "He has come back in better shape. He is at his best weight at the moment and his movement patterns are pretty much in sync with his best self in past," Basu told PTI. "He has taken this break as an opportunity to work on all the pointers which needed attention."
How Kohli continued with his fitness plans during lockdown
Over the years, Kohli has raised the standards of fitness in world cricket. Even the COVID-enforced lockdown couldn't halt his meal plans and running intervals at home. "He worked on his endurance which is otherwise not possible during a packed calendar," added Basu. "He did shuttle running in his apartment, which had little space. The attitude stood out more than the workout."
Kohli concentrated on running and strengthening
"He did not have much of a choice during the lockdown and he invested on a treadmill. His customized strength work to compliment that was his mantra during the lockdown. A combination of running and strength work and he kept it simple," stated Basu.
A gruelling session after five months
Last week, Virat Kohli hit the nets as the Royal Challengers Bangalore contingent commenced training for the upcoming IPL edition in UAE. Upon his return, Kohli admitted he was "scared" to hit the nets after a long gap of five months. However, he asserted it was "better than expected". The session was also attended by South African legend Dale Steyn and director Mike Hesson.
Kohli's first nets session after five months
Kohli will aim to win the IPL for RCB
As far as his consistency is concerned, Kohli remains the only player to have represented a single franchise in 12 straight seasons since the inception of IPL. Kohli, who was named captain of RCB in 2013, is the leading run-scorer with 5,412 runs from 177 matches at an average of 37.84. Despite his phenomenal attributes, RCB's quest for maiden IPL title still continues.
