Virat Kohli can't have anyone who is a slow mover or who is not giving his 100 per cent on the field: R Sridhar

Be it his flurry of centuries or on-field acrobatics– Virat Kohli has left no stones unturned in leading Team India from the front. Over the past few years, Kohli has set an example through his batting consistency as well as fitness levels. The 31-year-old is inarguably one of the fittest cricketers on the planet.

Kohli’s fitness levels are often reflected through his fielding efforts. His agility and commitment have not decreased a bit during the lockdown as the Indian skipper is busy sweating out in the gym, trying to set the bar higher for himself and his teammates.

One of the biggest improvements in Team India has been the evolution of their fielding standards. The world has witnessed many agile on-field efforts by the Men in Blue, led by skipper Kohli.

Team India’s fielding coach R Sridhar also heaped praise on Kohli while saying that 100 per cent on-field effort is a non-negotiable for Kohli. After donning the skipper’s role, the first thing which Kohli said was that there shouldn’t be optional fielding sessions.

For Virat Kohli, it’s a non-negotiable: R Sridhar

“For Virat, it’s a non-negotiable. A slow mover on the field or someone, not giving his 100 per cent on the field, that’s it, non-negotiable with him,” Sridhar told FanCode.

“And that kind of intensity what he produces, and for a youngster, if he just watches it, it should spur him on. He has made it mandatory for every fielder, not now, I am talking about 2015 which was his first series as the full-time captain in Sri Lanka, the first thing he said was – no optional sessions in fielding,” added the fielding coach of Team India.

Sridhar also recalled an incident from a Test match between India and Sri Lanka in 2017, where Kohli ran to save a boundary as if his life was dependent on it.

“We were playing the 3rd Test against Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla, our boy was getting married in a couple of weeks, he was going to go off. It was getting into a draw and Chandimal was batting on 140 or 150, Ash (R. Ashwin) was bowling, Chandimal hit one towards midwicket.

It was in the mandatory overs, the match was going to end and he got a 248 in that match if I am not mistaken. And he runs as if his life depended on that ball, picks that ball and does an acrobatic throw,” recalled Sridhar.