Indian hockey stars Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh have welcomed the idea of them and their teammates taking on former India cricket captain Virat Kohli in the yo-yo test.
Kohli had recently compared the fitness of cricket and hockey players during an event.
“We are not even 15%” – Virat Kohli
Kohli gave his views on fitness in various sports at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit on Tuesday.
“I know people sometimes look at fitness as something extraordinary, but for me, it’s just what the job demands. It should be the norm, not celebrated as something special. Cricket is such a focus in our country that we often ignore other sports,” Kohli said.
He said, “If I’m honest, we are not even 15% of the fitness of an Indian hockey player. If hockey players watch our training sessions, they will probably laugh because their game demands much more physicality.”
At the same event, Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh said that the team’s goalkeepers also regularly register scores of more than 20 in the yo-yo test because the game is very fast-paced.
Also read: “Not even 15%”: Virat Kohli takes a humorous dig at Rohit Sharma’s fitness during a conversation with Indian hockey stars
“I will definitely invite them” – Manpreet Singh
In an interview with RevSportz, Indian hockey stars Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh talked about the chances of facing off against star Indian batsman Virat Kohli in the yo-yo test.
Citing Kohli’s recent comments, the hockey stars were asked whether they would invite Kohli for the challenge.
“Yes, I will definitely invite them. I really hope the entire RCB team will come with them. Our team will be on this side, and we will compete.” Manpreet said.
Manpreet was then asked if he was only agreeing to the test because he knew he would win, but he denied this and underlined the different requirements of the two sports.
Also read: Suryakumar Yadav safe, but Sanju Samson will captain India in the next T20 World Cup and LA28 Olympics
“It will be great for the game” – Hardik Singh
After this, Hardik Singh took charge and said that the attention that will be gained from the fitness challenge against Virat Kohli will ultimately be very helpful for Indian hockey.
Hardik was asked who he would support in the yo-yo test competition between Virat Kohli and Manpreet Singh. Hardik chose the latter.
“I have to support him [Manpreet Singh] Because he is my teammate. But, I think it will be great for both games when players interact with each other. You look at America, where athletes from different sports interact with each other whenever they come to the Olympics or other events like that. Hardik Singh said, so I think both the sports will benefit from this conversation.
exclusive
“Virat Kohli vs Manpreet Singh in yo-yo test?”.
Indian hockey player Manpreet Singh says he would happily invite Virat Kohli for a fun fitness challenge, adding that cross-sport interaction can only help strengthen Indian sports.
The full interview will air at 12 noon… pic.twitter.com/XCExmC5826
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 21 May 2026
