Suryakumar Yadav recently reflected on Virat Kohli’s impact during India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign, describing him as a unique leader. Kohli’s dedication to fitness and professionalism made a lasting impression on Suryakumar, who debuted for India in 2022. Suryakumar admired Kohli’s rigorous fitness standards and sought to train alongside him, hoping to learn from his example. India’s triumph in the final against South Africa on June 29 at Kensington Oval marked their second T20 World Cup title, with Kohli playing a crucial role.
Virat Kohli’s retirement from T20Is was an emotional and fitting conclusion to his career in the format. His match-winning performance in the final, scoring 76 off 59 balls, was instrumental in India’s victory and earned him the Player of the Match award. During the post-match ceremony, Kohli announced his retirement, bringing his journey in T20Is to a memorable close. Despite a challenging start in the tournament, his determination and team-first mindset never wavered.
Suryakumar praised Kohli’s boundless energy and commitment, noting that he stayed fully engaged in all aspects of the team’s activities, from practice to team meetings. According to Suryakumar, Kohli’s presence and involvement inspired the players around him. He described Kohli as a leader who set an example through his actions rather than words, creating a strong influence within the team.
When Suryakumar began his international career, he quickly realized the importance of matching Kohli’s fitness levels to keep up with his pace on the field. He requested the team’s strength and conditioning coach to schedule their training sessions together. This helped him observe Kohli’s methods firsthand, particularly his ability to push through fatigue and maintain consistency. Suryakumar believed this approach helped him better understand the physical demands of playing alongside Kohli.
Kohli’s work ethic and dedication also helped Suryakumar stay motivated during difficult moments. Watching Kohli train instilled a sense of determination and focus in Suryakumar, even on days when he felt tired or unmotivated. Kohli’s example extended beyond cricketing skills, influencing Suryakumar’s mindset and approach to physical preparation, ultimately enhancing his ability to meet the challenges of international cricket.
