6 Cricketers Who Underwent Amazing Body Transformation
Jasprit Bumrah was a lean 19-year-old when he made his IPL debut (Twitter)
Cricket demands not only superb skill but also exceptional fitness. Modern cricketers understand this, which is why many have committed themselves to remarkable body transformations.
Today's cricketers are more than just players, they are athletes who understand the importance of physical fitness in their performance. The demands of modern cricket — energy-sapping test matches, fast-paced T20s, and tiring travel schedules require them to be in prime physical condition.
As a result, they've to make sacrifices like trading fried foods for salads and ditching sodas for protein shakes. From shedding excess weight to packing on muscle, these transformations have not only changed their appearance but also significantly improved their performance.
In this listicle, we will take a look at six cricketers who underwent significant body transformation.
1. Virat Kohli
The first name in this list has to be that of Virat Kohli who revolutionized the sport with his incredible fitness levels. The former Indian captain is well known for his aggressive gameplay and impressive fitness regime. But he wasn't always the epitome of fitness. Early in his career, Kohli was a bit on the heavier side and didn't pay much attention to his diet or training.
Virat Kohli transformed the fitness culture in cricket (Twitter)
However, in 2012, he had an epiphany about the importance of fitness in cricket and underwent a significant transformation. He switched to a strict diet, eliminating junk food and maintaining a rigid workout regime which he follows to date. The result was a lean, muscular physique that made him one of the fittest players in the world.
2. Chris Gayle
The 'Universe Boss' of cricket, Chris Gayle, is renowned for his muscular build and destructive batting style. Early in his career, Gayle had a relatively slim physique. However, over the years, he adopted a robust fitness regime and transformed his body to fit his aggressive playing style.
Chris Gayle is among the most explosive batters the world has seen (Twitter)
The explosive opener’s training routine includes rigorous strength training, cardio exercises, and a high-protein diet to maintain his muscle mass. The transformation has certainly helped his game, turning him into a true powerhouse on the field, especially in T20 crickete where his exceptional numbers do all the talking.
3. Jasprit Bumrah
Known for his unconventional bowling action and pinpoint yorkers, Jasprit Bumrah is undoubtedly an indispensable asset of the Indian team. His dedication to fitness and the resulting body transformation has played a crucial role in his impressive career trajectory.
Jasprit Bumrah's transformation has been astounding (Twitter)
At the start of his career, Bumrah was noticeably thin. Over time, the right-arm quick transformed from a lean bowler into a muscular and fit cricketer. His transformation was not solely about aesthetics, it resulted in increased pace, improved stamina, and better on-field performance.
4. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav has also undergone a notable body transformation. At the beginning of his career, Yadav was quite lean. Realizing the need for more physical strength to bowl faster and stay injury-free, he committed to a strict workout regime focusing on strength and conditioning exercises.
Umesh Yadav's bowling benefitted immensely from his body transformation (Twitter)
Weight training, cardio workouts, and specific drills aimed at enhancing his bowling formed the core of his fitness plan. Over the years, this disciplined approach to fitness and diet has paid off. Yadav transformed from a lean fast bowler to a strong athlete and gained muscle mass without compromising his agility or speed.
5. S. Sreesanth
Sreesanth's cricketing career has been eventful, filled with impressive highs, including being a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 Cricket World Cup-winning Indian teams, and substantial lows, notably a spot-fixing scandal and resultant ban. During his time away from competitive cricket, he embarked on an extensive fitness journey.
Sreesanth used his time away from the game to build a muscular physique (Twitter)
Earlier in his career, Sreesanth had a lean physique, but to make a comeback in domestic cricket, he realized that he needed to enhance his fitness levels. He developed a muscular physique, which helped him regain his pace and improve his bowling performance. His remarkable transformation was instrumental in his return to competitive cricket in 2021 with the Kerala team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, proving that age is just a number.
6. Chris Tremlett
Chris Tremlett was known for his tall, intimidating stature as a fast bowler. However, it is his transformation post-retirement that has been truly astonishing. After retiring from all forms of cricket in 2015, Tremlett decided to dedicate himself to bodybuilding and he quickly morphed from a lean fast bowler into a muscular bodybuilder.
Chris Tremlett became a bodybuilder post retirement (Instagram)
The lanky pacer transformation story is different from most cricketers, as it happened post his cricket career. Yet, it's a proof of his commitment to fitness and health, showing that an active lifestyle doesn't have to end when a sports career does.
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