Former wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta believes that the Indian captain can play till his early 40s, if he wishes to.
Dasgupta told Sportskeeda in an Instagram session, “He [Virat Kohli] is physically extremely fit. He is very disciplined… He is in his early 30s, so he can basically go on for maybe five, six, or maybe even 10 years and play till he is 40. He has got a structure, both mentally and physically, that can propel him to play till his early 40s. More than the physical side, it is the mental side of it… He is such an intense kind of a person. When he is in it, he is in it.”
However, Dasgupta pointed out one concern with regards to Kohli’s future. “My only issue or the thing I am concerned about is, can he be fresh, mentally. What I have noticed over the years is that people who are so intense, they tend to kind of burn out a little early or be fatigued mentally. It might not be physically but mentally,” opined the veteran cricketer-turned-commentator.
Making his international debut in 2008, Virat Kohli wasn’t the fittest around during that time. However, the right-hander soon realised that this could cause a big hindrance to his career and started working on his fitness rigorously from 2012 onwards.
From thereon, it has been no looking back for the 31-year-old Indian skipper. Undoubtedly, Kohli is one of the fittest cricketers across the globe and has single-handedly brought a much-required change in attitude towards being fit within the Indian camp as well.
Kohli’s fitness has reflected on his batting, as he bats without any discomfort for longer periods and manages to convert quick singles into twos, or twos into risky triples. In addition, this has helped him in being consistent with the bat and saving valuable runs as a fielder.
