Virat Kohli turns down multi-crore sponsorship deal. Here’s why

Virat Kohli’s strict fitness regime has brought about drastic changes in the team, as his work ethics and insistence on being at the peak of his fitness has rubbed on to the others.

Kohli, whose personal game relies heavily on strokes played along the ground and accumulating runs with sharp and quick singles as well as doubles, has even pushed some of his teammates to the brink of exhaustion; just ask Kedar Jadhav.

Under Kohli’s captaincy, the fitness tests for those trying to make a comeback into the side have been made stricter.

Virat Kohli had earlier told The Hindu that he would never ask his players to do something which he cannot do first, and keeping in line with his belief, the Indian captain has now rejected a multi-crore deal offer to promote an aerated drink.

“I first convince myself I can do it and only then ask my teammates to go for it,” Kohli had said.

“If I myself won’t consume such things, I won’t urge others to consume it, just because I am getting money out of it. When I started my fitness turnaround, it was more of a lifestyle thing initially.

“If something goes away from that, I would not want to be a part of that or be promoting that,” said Kohli in an interview earlier.

Kohli credits the drastic turnaround that he underwent to the assistance and guidance of Shankar Basu, with whom he has worked in the Indian team set-up as well as at Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.

In an interview with bcci.tv last year, Basu revealed how strict Virat Kohli has been about his work ethic in the gym and on his diet chart.

“Virat will never challenge you once he is convinced about your methods. I found an athlete who was ready to go through the grind and work hard consistently whenever the need arose. He is very good with his nutrition plans and discipline factors. He has also made a lot of lifestyle changes. Kudos to him.”

“There are lots of players in the Indian team who are in pursuit of excellence and Virat Kohli is the front-runner. He is just the tip of the iceberg, there are lots more to come.

“Virat is a great role model in terms of his approach towards his game, towards lifestyle, his nutrition and training. He inspires a lot of people around him. He has made my job a lot easier as he motivates others, whereas I am just required to do my work,” he added.