Top 5 players who have beaten Virat Kohli in yo-yo test

Modern-day cricket has evolved much beyond the two-dimensional ‘bat versus ball’ contest. The current game also demands players to be more agile and energetic on the field. And when it comes to those two aspects, there’s hardly a cricketer who can surpass the Indian captain, Virat Kohli.

Or is there? Virat Kohli and his amazing athleticism have long inspired people all around the globe to work towards their fitness. Many regard him as the standalone benchmark for how physically well-maintained a sportsperson should be. But, as it turns out, statistically, there are quite a few players who have usurped King Kohli’s throne, as far as fitness is concerned. 

The relay-running-based Yo-yo test process is one of the most popular parameters for evaluating a player’s fitness. Back in 2017, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) included the test as a quintessential part of its assessment guidelines. Virat Kohli, unsurprisingly, stood out as the top performer on that test, registering a solid score of 19. 

Over time, though, the likes of Manish Pandey (19.2), Mayank Dagar (19.3), and Ahmad Bandav (19.4) did exceed that benchmark. But even setting those players aside, there are quite a few international cricketers who have- on some occasion or another- outperformed Kohli on the yo-yo test.

Here’s a look through five of them who have toppled Virat Kohli:

5. Jonny Bairstow - 21.8

Jonny Bairstow, the England batter known for his ultra-aggressive batting, ranks 5th in the world when it comes to yo-yo test score. 

Bairstow likes to take on the bowlers from the word get-go. Not just that, the right-hand batter is also a handy wicketkeeper. Since Bairstow is a vital cog in England's cricket team he has set incredibly high standards for himself when it comes to fitness. Bairstow's fitness can be quantified in terms of brilliant yo-yo test score which is also the second best among all England cricketers.