Virat Kohli still comes to the gym with child-like enthusiasm, his resolve hasn't come down even one percent: RCB fitness coach Shanker Basu

The Royal Challengers Bangalore strength and conditioning coach Shanker Basu has revealed that Virat Kohli is the most enthusiastic person when he enters the gym and said that he displays sheer dedication to his workout routines.

The 33-year-old is widely credited for transforming the Indian cricket team’s fitness regimen and Kohli has worked hard and been compared to some of the world’s finest sportsmen. Basu has also been part of the senior national team as the fitness coach, and he has seen Kohli’s transformation over the years. While speaking on RCB Bold Diaries, Basu opened up about Kohli’s passion for working out and spending time at the gym.

“What excites me is he comes like a child even today. What I saw in him when he was 19 or 20, in fact, the enthusiasm has not come down even that one percent. In fact, it has only gone up. The drive and that steely resolve he has got are so inspiring,” said Basu.

Shanker Basu reveals Virat Kohli’s current workout routine

Basu also expounded on Kohli’s fitness routine, adding that greater emphasis is being placed on muscular strength, which is critical for the star batter in a hectic year that includes a slew of T20 fixtures, which also includes the vital T20 World Cup.

“Can’t actually do the same thing over and over again. The program has to change. Every year, we need to start tweaking. Track what’s needed and evolve accordingly. There’s nothing much. Keep doing the simple things, boring things consistently, that’s the mantra. Eat well, sleep well and train well and repeat,” he added.

“Virat is mainly… we are trying to build muscle mass. T20 also requires a lot of explosive energy; force production is a byproduct. It’s a mandatory thing for him to be strong. You also have the World Cup round the corner. So obviously, it’s a long-distance call as well as a short-distance call,” Basu explained.

Kohli had been out of form for quite some time in the IPL 2022 and had been unable to score much with the bat. In RCB’s recent game against the Gujarat Titans, he pushed himself hard to bring up his first half-century of this season as he walked back scoring a 53-ball 58. However, his knock was not enough as RCB lost the game.