There has never been a larger emphasis on fitness among cricketers in the past than it is in the current modern game.
Not only do teams now have minimum fitness requirements to be selected for the national side, but players too understand how keeping their mind and body fresh and fit is imperative as matches come thick and fast. Cricketers also realize how much a lost opportunity can cost if their replacement makes it count.
Plus, having a good physical appearance also plays a part in the player getting lucrative brand endorsement offers. So it’s a win-win for any player with plenty of incentives to work hard on their fitness as much on their cricketing skills.
Here are 5 cricketers who underwent jaw-dropping physical transformations, during or after their careers:
Virat Kohli
Even non-cricket followers look up to Virat Kohli as an inspiration when it comes to fitness goals. Previously a chubby teenager, Kohli had ordinary fitness when he started out his India career. But, soon he’d understand, that having a greater stamina and a fitter body would help him scale and excels all three forms of the game, in addition to playing in the IPL.
Apart from spending hours daily in the gym, Kohli also changed his diet – the butter-chicken-devouring youngster turned into a vegan-following person. A significant portion of his fans in the country has followed his path and motivation and started out their fitness journeys.
Chris Tremlett
You must have seen Chris Tremlett’s photos of his incredible body transformation in recent year. Woof! That’s proper jaw-dropping.
The lanky former England seamer who had plenty of aggression in his wickets celebrations has now turned into a human-like Hulk with a burly body, and Tremlett is unrecognisable now, far from what he used to look in his cricket playing days. It would fair to say that no retired cricketers spends as much time in the gym as Tremlett does.
I mean, just look at him!
Chris Gayle
The self-proclaimed Universe Boss, Chris Gayle is known for his lavish lifestyle, relaxed and happy-go-lucky attitude. However, do not confuse it with lazy or lack of interest to his fitness, as Gayle has one of the most outstanding body transformations among cricketer.
Previously just a skinny, tall cricketer, Gayle bulked up, and how. There’s no surprise that even his top-edges fly for sixes.
S Sreesanth
Former India seamer S Sreesanth announced his retirement from international cricket and all forms of domestic cricket late last year after making a comeback to the Kerala team following the end of his 7-year ban.
Part of the 2007 T20 WC win and 2011 WC win, Sreesanth was banned in 2013 for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing. During this time away, Sreesanth worked extremely hard on his body and sized himself up, also getting gigs in movies and TV shows.
David Lawrence
Former England seamer David Lawrence managed to play 5 Tests and 1 ODI for England before his career came to an end because of a serious knee injury. However, David Lawrence didn’t let himself get deterred from fitness, and forayed into weightlifting and took up bodybuilding seriously as he soon turned into a professional bodybuilder.
Lawrence then participated in the National Amateur Body Building Association’s West of England for the over-40s and won the championship in 2014. He went viral on social media for his incredible body transformation and has become a renowned figure in the weightlifting industry.
