'He is Disciplined Without Being Robotic': Andy Flower Has 'Utmost Respect' For Brilliant Role Model Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is nearing the end of his international career but even at 35, he’s one of the fittest cricketers in the world. And it’s something that the former India captain has been able to maintain because of a strict regime, reveals Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower.

Flower took over as the RCB coach from IPL 2024 and has closely observed Kohli’s approach as a player on the field and from inside the dressing room.

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Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is moments after India became the world champions last month and it was a decision that even left Flower surprised.

“I hadn’t thought about it (Kohli’s retirement). I was a little surprised. I really enjoyed working with Virat in the IPL last season. I have utmost respect for him, obviously as a player but also the way he supported Faf du Plessis (RCB captain) and myself and Mo Bopat (RCB director of cricket)” Flower told The Times of India.

Flower lauded Kohli for his professionalism, calling him a ‘brilliant role model’.

“He (Kohli) is a brilliant role model. He is an outstanding professional sportsperson. He looks after himself really well. He is disciplined without being robotic,” the former Zimbabwe captain said.

Kohli has in the past talked about how he changed his lifestyle after realising his poor fitness standards.

“2012 IPL I came back home and saw myself, was disgusted. I just wanted to change everything about myself. I also saw how the dynamics of cricket around the world were changing rapidly and how I felt we were far behind in intensity levels as other teams. They were moving far ahead of us in terms of fitness levels,” Kohli told Mayank Agarwal during a chat in 2020.

Flower says Kohli is someone who likes to have fun and has a cheeky sense of humour.

“He laughs and has fun, has a cheeky sense of humour and takes the mickey out of people. He always mixes in with team gatherings and he is very approachable. He has a very good cricket brain and can think out of the box too,” Flower said.