New Delhi: At over 90kg, Mohammad Shehzad is the complete antithesis of fitness freak Virat Kohli but the 5’8″ Afghan wicketkeeper-batsman says who needs a punishing regimen like the Indian captain when he can hit longer sixes than the world’s No.1 ODI batsman.
“Dekhiye hum fitness bhi poori karte hain aur khaate bhi poora hain (I work a lot on my fitness but I don’t compromise on food). You want me to have a fitness routine like Kohli, it is not possible, but I am working on it (losing weight),” Shehzad told this agency.
Having started his cricketing career in a refugee camp in Pakistan, the 30-year-old Jalalabad-based batsman has had an eventful international career dating back to 2009 and believes that as long as he can hit bigger sixes than Kohli, he doesn’t need exemplary fitness and skill possessed by the Indian captain.
Shehzad however, spends a lot of time in India and claims MS Dhoni his ‘closest friend’ in the Indian team. He also enjoys a good rapport with Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan.
“It is always nice to catch up with the Indian cricketers. They are very warm. I have always looked up to Dhoni and now I have the pleasure of knowing him. I have played against India three-four times and after the match gets over, I have dropped in at Dhoni’s room and chatted for hours,” Shehzad added. “Even Suresh and Shikhar bhai are very warm people.”
Asked about Kohli’s absence from the historic match when Afghanistan will face India in their first official Test match at Bangalore June 14, Shehzad says playing against the Indian skipper would have been more fun. “It will be more fun and challenging if he plays. If he is not there, it will be a problem for India’s batting, we have no issues. But we would want to watch him play,” Shehzad signed off.
Press trust of india
Jitna lamba chakka woh (Kohli) maarte hain, main unse zyadaa maar saktaa hoon, zaroorat kya hain unki tarah itna diet karne ki (I can hit bigger sixes than Kohli so why do I need to follow his diet?)
Mohammad Shehzad