Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has praised Virat Kohli for transforming the way Indian cricketers approach fitness and fielding. In a recent statement, the off-spinner said that Kohli has shifted the mindset of an entire generation of players. He also pointed out that batting and bowling skills alone are no longer enough. Fielding has become a clear measure of a player's commitment. Kohli’s influence on India’s fielding standards has been widely acknowledged over the years. From the early days of his captaincy, he placed heavy criteria on fitness, intensity in the field, and taking every possible chance.
“In our time, fitness mainly meant endurance. But fitness can be different for different players. Virat Kohli changed that thinking. He
made cricketers understand that they had to be fit enough to dive around the field, save runs and make an impact. Everyone knows how to bat and bowl, but what you do in the field also matters. You can save runs for your team, and that is where your commitment and fitness should be visible. That is another area where Virat brought a major change.”he said
Harbhajan Singh said "Mindset change was first brought by Virat Kohli when he became the captain in 2014-15, before that we won't think that we can go for a chase of 400 on the final day. Virat told the boys, 'let's at least try. We might lose but if we keep trying one day we… pic.twitter.com/DEZ1YWRnFb
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The former off-spinner recalled how Indian teams once looked up to Australia for their outstanding fielding standards. Australian players would throw themselves around the ground without hesitation. Today, Harbhajan says he feels proud watching Indian fielders do the same.
“We used to say that Australia had outstanding fielding because their players would throw themselves around the field. Today, I feel extremely proud when I see Indian players doing the same, diving for catches, stopping runs and converting half-chances into run-outs.”
Harbhajan Singh: Virat Kohli changed India’s mindset from settling for draws to chasing wins
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has credited Virat Kohli with bringing a major shift in the Indian team’s approach during his captaincy years. Speaking in a recent interview with PTI, Harbhajan said the change in mindset began when Kohli took over as Test captain in 2014-15. He recalled how Kohli pushed the team to aim higher even in difficult situations.Harbhajan’s comments highlight the aggressive approach Virat brought to the Indian Test side. Under his captaincy, India began chasing results more often instead of playing safe for draws, especially in overseas conditions.
“Mindset change was first brought by Virat Kohli when he became the captain in 2014-15. Before that we won’t think that we can go for a chase of 400 on the final day. Virat told the boys, let's at least try. We might lose but if we keep trying one day we will surpass that 400 plus in last innings. If we have to get 10 wickets on last day, we will go for it. The winning mentality and not settle for draw is what Virat Kohli got.”
HARBHAJAN SINGH ON VIRAT KOHLI & HIS CONTRIBUTION FOR INDIAN CRICKET: - "In our time, fitness mainly meant endurance. But fitness can be different for different players. Virat Kohli changed that thinking. He made cricketers understand that they had to be fit enough to dive… pic.twitter.com/yefLDCXiiC
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) August 13, 2026
The former off-spinner has also spoken in the same interview about Kohli’s role in raising fitness standards and improving the team’s fielding culture, giving him significant credit for both the mental and physical transformation of Indian cricket during that period.
