Virat Kohli on Varun Chakravarthy: No space for compromise on fitness

Virat Kohli with teammates during a training session, ahead of T20 cricket series between India and England. Picture/ PTI

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy's repeated fitness test failures have raised quite a few eyebrows and the Indian captain sent a message loud and clear that anyone aspiring to play for India should abide by certain fitness standards.

Chakravarthy, an IPL sensation for Kolkata Knight Riders, was first picked ahead of the Australia tour only to be found out later that he was hiding a shoulder injury back then.

He did his rehabilitation at the NCA but hasn't played any national level competitive match and again failed the YoYo (17.1) and 2km (8 minutes) fitness test after Chetan Sharma's committee unexpectedly picked him without any game time.

"Look individuals need to understand the systems that have been created for the Indian cricket team," Kohli was very clear on where he stood on the issue.

"We should operate at the very high levels of fitness and skills and that's why this (India team) is top of the ladder when playing cricket, in our country.

"We would expect players to abide by what's required to be a part of Team India. There shouldnt be space for any compromise, in that regard."

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