Virat Kohli's Fitness Sets a Benchmark for Indian Cricket

Former cricketer Madan Lal has commended Virat Kohli's exceptional fitness, highlighting his ability to score runs through singles and doubles in T20 cricket. As Kohli prepares to return to the Indian ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan, Lal emphasizes the importance of fitness and consistency in cricket. The upcoming matches are set to begin with a Test on June 6, followed by ODIs starting June 14. Discover more about Kohli's fitness regime and the squad details in this article.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2026, 02:01 IST

Madan Lal Praises Kohli's Fitness

In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, former Indian cricketer Madan Lal expressed admiration for Virat Kohli's remarkable fitness on May 19. He pointed out Kohli's skill in effectively rotating the strike with singles and doubles during T20 matches.

Lal emphasized that Kohli's fitness serves as a role model for fellow players, underscoring the necessity of maintaining consistency through regular play.

“While many may struggle with fitness, Virat remains in top shape. I observed him in T20 matches, where he scores a significant portion of his runs through singles and doubles. His fitness is outstanding, and it should be a lesson for others. Continuous play is crucial,” stated Madan Lal.

As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, Kohli is set to return to the top order.

The Men's Selection Committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar and including members Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, R. P. Singh, and Pragyan Ojha, revealed the team in the presence of BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.

The one-off Test is scheduled to commence on June 6, followed by the ODI series starting June 14 in Dharamshala. The second ODI will take place on June 17 in Lucknow, concluding with the final match on June 20 in Chennai.

India's ODI squad against Afghanistan includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, and Harsh Dubey.