Indian Cricketers Taking Drastic Steps For Physical Transformation

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli [Source: X]

The definition of fitness in Indian cricket has changed dramatically over the last decade. It is no longer only about how many runs a batter scores or how many overs a bowler can deliver. The modern cricketer is also expected to be lean, agile and capable of matching the physical demands of an increasingly athletic sport.

The change has been visible across the Indian dressing room. Players have transformed their bodies, altered their diets and spent hours in gyms to reach a level of fitness that was almost unimaginable in previous generations.

Now, according to sources who spoke to CricBlogger, some Indian cricketers, including players associated with the IPL, are allegedly exploring a more drastic route to achieve a slimmer physique.

Doctor Reveals Special Treatment Being Used For Weight Loss

According to sources familiar with the practice, some cricketers are believed to be experimenting with GLP-1 medications to accelerate weight loss even when they may not necessarily have a medical requirement for such drugs.

Among the medications being discussed are Ozempic and Mounjaro, which belong to a wider category of drugs used primarily for diabetes treatment and, in certain circumstances, weight management.

A government doctor, who did not wish to be named, explained how GLP-1 works in the human body.

“GLP-1 is a natural gut hormone produced in the small intestine and colon. It is released after eating and signals the pancreas to release insulin, slows stomach digestion and communicates with the brain to create feelings of fullness,” the doctor told CricBlogger.

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Sources familiar with the practice claim that some users start with a low dose and gradually increase it under supervision. Depending on the medicine, dosage and brand, the monthly expense can run into several thousand rupees, with certain treatments costing considerably more.

“This is being seen as a shortcut to weight loss, alongside regular workouts. That is why some cricketers are opting for it. Even the Bollywood stars are into it,” the source claimed.

The allegation is particularly concerning because the practice is reportedly not limited to established international players. Some younger cricketers are also believed to be experimenting with such medications without necessarily having a medical requirement for them.

List Of Cricketers Who Underwent Massive Transformation

The history of cricket is filled with players who completely changed their bodies through discipline, training and dietary adjustments.

Interestingly, some of the most dramatic transformations happened without the need to turn physical appearance into a medical shortcut. Rohit Sharma is one of the most obvious examples of how dramatically a professional cricketer can change his physique.

The former India captain underwent a significant transformation, reportedly losing between 11 and 20 kilograms during a period when questions about his fitness had become increasingly loud.

The process reportedly involved a demanding 12-week programme. During the first seven weeks, cricket skills were reportedly pushed into the background, with the focus almost entirely on fitness and physical conditioning. Training reportedly lasted around three hours a day for six days a week.

The final five weeks then brought batting and fielding work back into the programme. The diet was another major part of the transformation.

The player known for his love of Mumbai's street food reportedly had to sacrifice some of his favourite foods, including vada pav, while moving towards a more controlled diet consisting of protein-rich and nutrient-dense foods. The result was a visibly leaner Rohit.

Sarfaraz Khan too reportedly lost around 17 to 20 kilograms after spending a significant period working on his body and fitness alongside his father and coach Naushad Khan.

Then there is Virat Kohli, arguably the player who changed the fitness culture of Indian cricket more than anyone else in the modern era. Strict dietary control, strength training, conditioning work and an obsessive approach towards maintaining his body turned Kohli into one of the fittest cricketers of his generation.

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana also underwent a notable physical transformation during his career. Theekshana was reported to have reduced his weight from around 117 kilograms as he worked towards improving his stamina and fitness-test performances.

Should Athletes And Cricketers Use Drugs As Cosmetic Shortcuts?

There is nothing wrong with a medically prescribed weight-management drug. For patients who genuinely require such treatment, these medicines can play an important role under professional medical supervision.

The problem begins when the motivation changes from health to appearance. A cricketer who is medically advised to use a GLP-1 medication is in a completely different situation from an otherwise healthy athlete using the same medicine simply because he wants to look good on the camera. 

Professional athletes already operate under enormous physical pressure; adding the pressure to look a certain way can create an unhealthy cycle. And the biggest irony is that cricket does not necessarily reward the thinnest player. It rewards the most effective one.

Indian cricket has spent years building a culture where fitness is treated as an essential part of professional sport. The next challenge may be making sure that culture does not turn into a beauty contest.

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