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'It's How Hard He...': Josh Hazlewood Lauds Virat Kohli's Fitness and Work Ethic

image-libduxbhVirat Kohli in action [AP Photos]

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has recently shed light on his experience playing alongside Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate Virat Kohli and the remarkable qualities that contribute to the former Indian skipper's success.

In an exclusive interview with the International Cricket Council (ICC) ahead of the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final set to take place at the iconic Oval on June 7, the 32-year-old paceman expressed his admiration for Kohli's work ethic and the dedication he brings to his craft.

Hazlewood emphasized that Kohli's fitness levels are exceptional, serving as the foundation for his prowess on the field. Moreover, he highlighted Kohli's commitment to skill development, particularly in batting and fielding.

"I think it’s probably how hard he works (that stands out). His fitness first of all - and then his skill work and batting and fielding in particular,” said Hazlewood.

The Australian speedster also remarked that Kohli is often the first to arrive for training and the last to leave, consistently exhibiting an intensity that raises the bar for everyone else around him. Hazlewood believes that this infectious work ethic has a positive impact on his fellow teammates, motivating them to elevate their own performance levels.

“He is always out there (training) first and leaves last … and the intensity he trains at all the time is at such a high level it drags everyone else along for the ride. That can leak on to the other players and improve them as well,” added the lanky pacer.

The two players are once again set to lock horns in a game of monumental proportions. Throughout their encounters over the years, Hazlewood has managed to dismiss Kohli on three occasions, despite the latter maintaining an impressive average of 55.70 against the Australian pacer.

Kohli's performances in the recent IPL season have been nothing short of exceptional, further underscoring his form heading into the WTC final. Accumulating a staggering 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82, he secured the fourth position on the prestigious Orange Cap list.

Notably, Kohli concluded the season with back-to-back centuries against the SunRisers Hyderabad and the Gujarat Titans, signalling his formidable prowess and providing an encouraging indication for the Indian team as they prepare for the impending WTC final.

As the two cricketers prepare to clash in the highly anticipated WTC final, their past encounters and Kohli's impressive IPL performances have added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the forthcoming showdown.