Virat Kohli has changed the way modern cricketers look at fitness. The former India captain has built a reputation as one of the fittest athletes in world cricket over the years. His strict diet, disciplined routine, and relentless work ethic inspired several young players to improve their fitness and lifestyle. Sanju Samson is one of those players.
The India wicketkeeper-batter recently revealed that he once turned to Kohli for advice on how to build a long and successful international career. Samson even followed Kohli’s routine for more than a year before realizing he could not maintain that level of discipline.
Sanju Samson Makes Honest Confession About Virat Kohli’s Lifestyle Routine
Speaking on JioStar’s show Believe, Samson recalled training alongside Kohli during an Indian team camp. Watching Kohli’s intensity in the gym left a lasting impression on him, and he decided to ask one of India’s greatest batters for guidance.
“We all know how Virat bhai is. He is very clear and very straightforward with everyone. If you need to do something, he will tell you exactly what is required. The way he carries himself in the gym, there is a different fire in that guy, and I really love that about him. We both were working out together in the gym during an Indian team camp, and I asked him, ‘Paaji, what should I do? Tell me something too,” he said.
Instead of discussing batting techniques or match preparation, Kohli focused on something much bigger. He told Samson that success at the international level starts with discipline away from the cricket field.
Kohli explained how diet, recovery, sleep, and everyday habits play a major role in building a long career according to Samson. The Indian great also shared the food choices that helped his body recover faster and advised Samson to stay committed to the routine for the next decade.
“He told me that lifestyle plays a huge role. If you want to become an international cricketer, you must maintain a different kind of lifestyle. He shared what works for him on his journey and told me, ‘This food will help your body recover; this would not. If you maintain this discipline for the next 10 years, you will have a great career ahead. I started following it for a year, a year, and a half, but after that, I could not stay on track with that anymore,” he added.
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Many players admire his fitness, but maintaining that level of commitment every single day is another challenge altogether. Virat Kohli has followed the same disciplined approach for years which helped him stay at the top of world cricket across formats.
Since making his international debut in 2015, he has enjoyed memorable highs but has also spent long periods in and out of the side. Competition for places has remained intense, especially in white-ball cricket, where several wicketkeeper-batters have fought for the same spot.
The Kerala batter recently found himself out of India’s T20I squad after difficult tours of England and Ireland. India instead picked 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the Zimbabwe series, and the youngster grabbed his opportunity with both hands by winning the Player of the Series award.
Despite the setback, Samson has made it clear that he no longer wants to get caught up in the constant battle for selection. In another part of the same interview, he explained that he now prefers to play on his own terms instead of worrying about things beyond his control. That change in mindset, according to Samson, has brought him greater peace and clarity about his career.
With the Asian Games later this year and the 2028 T20 World Cup and Olympic Games still on the horizon, Samson knows opportunities could come again if he performs consistently in domestic and franchise cricket.
