'He was sending me scores of one of his tests': Sunil Chhetri compares Virat Kohli to Cristiano Ronaldo

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has spoken highly of former India skipper Virat Kohli’s fitness levels and mindset, even comparing him to global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Chhetri revealed that Kohli had recently shared some of his fitness test scores with him, and said it was motivating to be around someone so dedicated, even after achieving everything.

Chhetri lauds Kohli’s dedication

Virat Kohli, who missed the BCCI’s pre-season fitness tests in Bengaluru after doing his tests in London, is well-known for his commitment to fitness. The 2011 Cricket World Cup winner has often spoken about how much Cristiano Ronaldo inspires him. Chhetri, who shares a close bond with Kohli, said the two sporting icons are alike because they are never satisfied with past achievements.

“A few days back, he (Kohli) was sending me his scores of one of the tests he was doing. It is so addictive, and it is so good to know these kinds of people. On your bad days when you feel a bit lethargic, you see them and think, ‘let’s go’. When you are at the top, everyone wants to be a Virat Kohli or Ronaldo, and for these two to keep their place is unbelievable,” Chhetri said on the DesiPL podcast.

“I don’t know personally (Cristiano) Ronaldo. I have watched him, studied him. I know Virat (Kohli). The one common thing about these two is that they are just not happy with what they have already achieved. I tried in my whatever way to inculcate the same thing because once when you start getting into that circle where you start thinking about what you have done, good or bad, then you are not in the same track that you want to be,” he added.

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“Whatever happened today, gaya (it is over). Otherwise, how does a Virat Kohli or Ronaldo get up and again be at their best?. It is not easy. When you are successful for so long, when you have done so much, when you have won almost everything, to still get up and do what they are doing is unbelievable,” Chhetri said.

Chhetri recently retired from international football after an illustrious career that spanned more than 20 years. However, he was recalled into the national side for the Asian Cup qualifiers by former coach Manolo Marquez in March this year. Chhetri was then excluded from the national camp by new coach Khalid Jamil for the CAFA Nations Cup in August.

Kohli, on the other hand, has retired from Tests and T20Is and is only available to play ODI cricket for India. He is currently aiming to represent the country in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Earlier this year, Kohli won the ICC Champions Trophy for the nation and also managed to lay hands on the IPL trophy for the first time in his career.