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“Inspired by Virat bhai”: Tilak Varma credits Kohli for his fitness evolution

Kaushik Kashyap

Tilak Varma inspired by Virat Kohli fitness. [Source - SonySports/x.com]Tilak Varma inspired by Virat Kohli fitness. [Source - SonySports/x.com]

Tilak Varma’s growing stature in Indian cricket was on full display during the Super 4 clash against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The young left-hander played a crucial role with the bat in helping India post a formidable total of over 200 runs.

His crisp stroke play in the middle overs provided India with the momentum needed to push past the 200-run mark, setting up what eventually became one of the most dramatic contests of the tournament.

Tilak Varma Reveals Secret Behind His Fitness Excellence

Amid all the drama, Tilak was asked by renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar about his athletic build and commitment to gym work in an interview for the broadcasters. The youngster revealed that his focus on fitness has been heavily inspired by Virat Kohli, a player who revolutionised the Indian team’s approach to conditioning and physical preparation.

“I do love doing a lot of Fitness. I am inspired by Virat Bhai. He has set the standards and I just want to maintain that,. I just love to run on the field and spend a lot of time in the gym,” Tilak said.

For over a decade, Virat Kohli has stood as the ultimate testimony of fitness in Indian cricket. His discipline, relentless work ethic, and commitment to physical conditioning have redefined standards, inspiring an entire generation of cricketers to embrace fitness as a non-negotiable aspect of the game.

And now for an emerging batting force like Tilak, staying in peak shape is not just about power-hitting but also about enduring long innings, staying sharp in the field, and being mentally resilient in high-pressure situations. The 22-year-old has been one of the reliable names in the Indian batting since his comeback to the T20I setup last year against South Africa for a reason.

Coming back to the contest, the match itself was a rollercoaster. Sri Lanka, driven by a sensational century from Pathum Nissanka, matched India’s effort to tie the contest. With everything coming down to a nerve-wracking Super Over, it was Arshdeep Singh who delivered the decisive over, holding his nerve with pinpoint yorkers and sealing India’s place in the final.