Written By: Bhavya Gulati | Updated : November 12, 2025 3:01 PM IST
Virat Kohli’s 5 AM Yoga, Double Century, and Relentless Gym Routine Motivated Former Cricketer to Start Working Out at 60
Virat Kohli Fitness: Virat has always remained active and consistent, be it when it comes to his fitness routine or victory in matches. Inspired by his routine, Former Indian Cricketer Sandeep Patil opened up about a moment that changed his perspective on fitness. During India's 2016 tour of the West Indies, Patil got to witness Kohli's fitness regime quite closely, which was impressive and even that same day, Kohli even scored a brilliant double century and still found the energy to return to the gym after the match.
This was early morning in Antigua, at around 5 a.m., when Sandeep Patil, who was then the chairman of selectors, accidentally stumbled upon Virat Kohli. However, when the majority of the players were still sleeping before a long day of Tests, Kohli was up and in the hotel lawn practising yoga in a calm manner as the sun had come up.
He would then proceed to the gym right after yoga and fit in a whole workout before breakfast. Kohli, in his turn, came out to bat later in the day and gave one of the finest performances of his career. He could be spending hours in the middle of the Caribbean sun, and upon coming back to the gym after the match, the same intensity was noticeable as though the day was fresh.
Sandeep Patil remembered the incident with great admiration. He explained that it was not a demonstration or a showoff on the part of Kohli, but it was his lifestyle that day. All of Kohli, his eating, his sleep, his fitness, were indicators of his intensive commitment to being the best version of himself. Kohli has regularly commented over the years of how his lifestyle transformed drastically in order to suit the demands of modern day cricket. He has eliminated junk food, ceased consuming high carbs, and has switched to a clean and protein rich diet. He did not just train to be strong but also to have a mental concentration and wear and tear in the sport. His commitment not only improved his game but also the fitness levels of the entire Indian cricket.
To Sandeep Patil, this was a life changing event when he saw that day in Antigua. Later, he admitted that he had never been a regular in terms of workouts or fitness. However, in observing the concentration of Kohli, he got motivated to begin. Felt that I had wasted years not caring so much about fitness after watching him that morning, Patil admitted. A person who has already reached the heights of his career will be able to work that hard on a daily basis, so why do I have an excuse?
As he promised, Patil started doing regular exercises after the said tour, and it was true that there is never too late to start looking after your health.
The contribution made by Virat Kohli goes well beyond numbers and scores. His style of fitness has changed the meaning of being a professional Indian cricketer. Prior to Kohli, it used to be the case that fitness is second to talent and skill. However, it turned into an inalienable aspect of the game under his leadership.
The young players such as KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill have attributed this to Kohli leaving a high bar among the players not just in training but in daily discipline. Kohli demonstrated that with the help of hard work and routine, nothing great can be attained only by talent, which should be considered the key to success in the morning yoga sessions or post-match workouts.
The Antigua story by Kohli is not the only instance of his motivation, but it represents a bigger fact of success, which is made of habits. His capacity to take things to the extreme has made his players and even fans as well as former players such as Sandeep Patil, inspired.
To Patil, this particular morning was the difference. To millions of people, Kohli still reminds them that discipline is not something to restrain, but to be free. It is the liberty to do what one can do best, day in day out, regardless of situations.
