Cricket as a popular sport has vastly improved over the past few years. Earlier, a player was evaluated based on their skills and temperament. But, now fitness is another crucial factor that has been added to filter out the best candidate among several rising talents all over the world.
In the present generation, the national cricket team selectors mainly focus on the players who maintain the highest fitness levels. For that particular reason, new techniques such as the Yo-Yo Tests have been implemented. As a result, securing a spot in the international team, not only requires cricketing skills but also possess huge fitness levels, which is vital to staying competitive for longer periods at a higher level.
Currently, three prominent cricketers in the world such as Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and James Anderson have maintained their fitness levels to a superior level. It would be interesting to take a detailed glance at these 3 fittest cricket players in the world and their achievements as of September 2024.
1. Virat Kohli (INDIA):
Hailed as the King of Cricket, Virat Kohli is considered a role model for his teammates as well as for all young generation cricketers. Since he became Team India’s full-time captain in 2017, Kohli has become more concerned about his fitness levels.
As a chubby-looking teenager, Kohli made his debut in international cricket in 2008. But after 2012, the right-handed batter attained peak success in his career and changed his diet and training pattern, which has gained long-term benefits for him.
One of the main secrets behind the high fitness levels of this 35-year-old Indian cricketer is the routine warm-up sessions. It includes 5 to 10 minutes of slight cardio exercises such as jogging or jumping jacks, and dynamic stretches such as arm circles and leg swings. Mainly, these type of warm-up sessions before starting workouts helps Kohli improve his performance, thereby avoiding any unnecessary internal injury.
A few years back, Virat Kohli turned vegetarian and relied purely on a vegan diet daily. It includes quinoa, lentils, and a lot of grilled vegetables such as beetroot, spinach in his diet, and a portion of vegetable soup. Moreover, he is fond of having green tea with a splash of lemon for at least 3–4 cups. In simpler words, Kohli’s diet is all steamed and boiled and contains only salt, pepper, and lime without any masala.
Earlier, this year, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praises on Kohli saying that he has never been to NCA (National Cricket Academy) even once in his career, regarding any fitness issues.
Can you believe that Virat Kohli’s uses France France-based company’s water brand named Evian Natural Spring which costs INR 4,000 per liter? This shows how India’s star cricketer shows his commitment to sport in all aspects.
2. Faf du Plessis (SOUTH AFRICA):
The former South African captain Faf du Plessis has maintained his best fitness levels at the age of 40. He shows his commitment to play longer innings for his team and rarely gets injured.
Although Faf is approaching the twilight of his cricketing career, he is still participating in every T20 league which includes the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as several rich-cash tournaments.
The South Africa’s right-handed batter follows regular gym training sessions and a disciplined diet. His unique fitness drills include performing sprints with a tyre fastened to his waists. His dedication to maintaining fitness allowed him to deliver consistent performances for his team at peak levels, especially in challenging conditions.
Considering his diet, du Plessis consumes oats daily in his breakfast with a mixture of milk and honey, while he prefers chicken and Omega-3 fish for his lunch and dinner.
Especially, his journey in making a remarkable comeback from a terrible back injury in 2018, makes him rank as one of the best fittest cricketers, which is an inspiration for the present and upcoming generation cricketers.
3. James Anderson (ENGLAND):
Jimmy Anderson (also known as James Anderson) is like an aged wine, that gets better with its quality as it becomes old. At the age of 42 years, he played his last test match for England at Lords, where he concluded his cricketing career in style by taking 4 wickets against West Indies.
So far, none of the fast bowlers in the world have ever managed to play till 42. However, Anderson’s hard work helped him upgrade his performance as his age increased and maintained great fitness levels to experience a successful extended career. Jimmy’s fitness includes a simple strategy of performing regular running and weight training sessions supported by a balanced diet, which has proved to be essential for him to achieve the best outcomes during his two-decade period of international cricket career