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Former Indian mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton has weighed in on the comparisons between the fitness standards of the Indian Hockey team to those of the Indian cricket Team.
Hockey is a fast-paced game that requires supreme athleticism and a very high degree of fitness standards. While cricketers are supremely fit as well, Upton feels that there is no comparison between the fitness of Hockey players to that of Cricketers.
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Upton also reflected that only the Indian legend Virat Kohli would be able to last the fitness session of these Hockey players, while all the other cricketers would be lying down halfway through it.
Only Virat can match the fitness of Hockey players, says Paddy Upton
Upton, the 56-year-old South African, was a part of India's setup during the 2011 Cricket World Cup that India went on to win. The coach is now a part of India's Hockey team at the Hockey Asia Cup being held in Rajgir, Bihar.
Upton feels that the fitness of these Hockey athletes is far superior to that of the cricketers. While cricketers train hard, the fitness sessions are not even half that of the Hockey stars.
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He remarked that every other cricketer except for Virat Kohli would be found lying down, halfway through the sessions, and would fail to survive the intensity of the training.
“I’d love to bring the Indian cricket team for half a training session with the hockey team… Only Virat Kohli would last. These hockey players are 18 Virat Kohlis in fitness, while Indian cricket team has only 1.”
— Gaurav (@Melb0urne__82) September 6, 2025
- Paddy Upton pic.twitter.com/NlQGKUutAI
What makes Virat Kohli different?
Kohli has been the face of Indian cricket for the last several years. He is one of the most supreme athletes across the world and has revolutionized fitness standards when it comes to Indian cricket.
"I’d love to bring the Indian cricket team for half a training session with the hockey team… Only Virat Kohli would last. These hockey players are 18 Virat Kohlis in fitness, while Indian cricket team has only 1." - Paddy Upton
Ever since Kohli took over the reign of the Indian side, fitness has been made the most integral part for the Indian cricketers. He was the man who made the YO-YO fitness test compulsory for the cricketers to be a part of the Indian cricket setup.
Even at 37, Virat continues to be one of the fittest cricketers in the country, and even across the world. The Indian legend has given up on the T20I and Test format and will only feature in the 50-over format for India.
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If rumours are to be believed, Virat recently cleared his fitness assessment under the BCCI, with a whopping Yo-Yo Test score of above 20.
He last featured for India at the Champions Trophy, where he played a significant role in India's title-winning campaign. The Indian legend is now expected to feature in India's upcoming series against Australia, starting next month.