Cricket has joined other elite international sports in terms of fitness. Cricketers have taken to fitness very keenly in the past few years. The fitter the athlete longer they will last on the field to compete. Fitness ensures their consistency and longevity as well. The standard of fielding has gone through the roof owing to improved fitness levels. The Fittest cricketers inspire younger generations to take up fitness more seriously.
StumpsandBails looks at 5 fittest cricketers in the world:
#5 David Warner
David Warner has been lying low for a while since he did his hamstring in the limited-overs series against India. Apart from this freak injury, Warner has rarely been out of action. He is one of the fittest cricketers in the world. His energy in the field is infectious. Warner is literally all around the park thanks to his fitness standards. He is one of the rare modern-day batsmen who has a triple century to his name. This in itself speaks volumes about his fitness.
#4 Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is one of a kind cricketer. He is arguably one of the best all-rounders in world cricket currently. Stokes defines a modern-day cricketer. His energy is volcanic. Stokes’s fielding attempt to save a boundary while bowling to Jermaine Blackwood has now become part of cricketing folklore. He bats, he bowls, he fields. There is nothing on the cricket field that Ben Stokes can’t do. It is owing to his supreme fitness that he is able to do what he does.
#3 Steve Smith
Steve Smith is an underrated fitness athlete. He is one of the modern-day batting greats. Smith is arguably the best Test batsmen of the current generation. But his fielding often always goes unnoticed. He is poetry in motion on the field. His high fitness standards help him play long innings and seamlessly field for long hours under the sun. Smith is one of the rare batsmen who has a terrific record in Asia. His fitness is one of the key reasons behind his success.
#2 Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is two fielders essentially combined into one. He is undoubtedly the best fielder in the world. Jadeja sprints like a hare across the pitch and in the outfield. He makes fielding look ridiculously easy. Jadeja has a rocket arm. His arm has affected many unbelievable run-outs. Ricky Ponting, Shoaib Malik, Steve Smith, and Ross Taylor were a few of the batsmen at the receiving end of his throw. Jadeja’s arm is one thing you want to insure in a cricket field. Priceless!
#1 Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli revolutionised cricketing fitness. Virat Kohli laid down the emphasis of fitness to not just the Indian team but also to the entire cricketing world. Kohli’s fitness allows him to play the sport with unhinged passion and continued excellence. He is always in the game thanks to his fitness standards. Kohli makes things happen because he is a fitness freak who pushes his body to the limit. Virat Kohli is the best (Cricketing) fitness icon for youngsters to follow.
