Virat Kohli has long been seen as the gold standard for fitness in cricket, especially due to his Yo‑Yo (Yo‑Yo Intermittent Recovery) Test scores. As 2025 progresses, there are fresh developments involving his fitness records, testing protocols, teammates, and how cricket’s benchmarks compare to those in other sports. Here’s a clear and comprehensive breakdown.
The Benchmark & Kohli’s Yo‑Yo Scores Over the Years
Virat Kohli has consistently exemplified top-tier athleticism. His known Yo‑Yo Test score stands at 17.2, a figure revered in Indian cricket as emblematic of supreme endurance and agility. This score has featured prominently in multiple accounts of his fitness profile.
| Year | Known Yo‑Yo Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Around 2023 | 17.2 | Shared on social media — led to BCCI reminder about confidentiality |
| Up to 2025 | 17.2 | Still referenced as Kohli’s signature fitness score |
BCCI’s Policies & Confidentiality Reminders
In 2023, when Virat shared his Yo‑Yo score (17.2) on social media, it prompted a verbal warning from the BCCI. It reiterated that such fitness data is a “confidential matter”, and must not be publicly disclosed—even by the players themselves.
Pre‑Season Testing in 2025 & Kohli’s Absence
As of mid-2025, India’s pre‑season fitness assessments—including the Yo‑Yo Test and the Dexa scan for bone density—have been underway at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. Players like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and others have completed the evaluations successfully in preparation for the Asia Cup and other upcoming tournaments.
However, Kohli’s participation remains unclear; he has neither been confirmed to attend nor taken the Yo‑Yo Test this year, especially since retiring from Test cricket in May 2025.
Read more: – Bronco Test vs Yo‑Yo Test
Fitness in Context: Teammates & Other Sports
While Kohli’s 17.2 score has long set the bar in cricket, other players and sports have started to outshine that benchmark:
- Shubman Gill recorded an impressive 18.7 in the Yo‑Yo Test ahead of the Asia Cup 2023—surpassing Kohli’s mark.
- Hardik Singh, an Indian hockey star, sparked debate by revealing that hockey players (including junior women) regularly score 20s and even up to 23.8, while junior girls may score 17–18—scores that match or exceed Kohli’s.
These insights highlight that fitness standards in other sports, particularly hockey, may have eclipsed cricket in certain metrics.
Broader Perspective on Fitness Trends (India, 2025)
- As of August 2025, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, among others, successfully passed the Yo‑Yo Test and Dexa scan—clearing fitness benchmarks required for tournaments like the Asia Cup.
- Movement around testing protocols: The board has subtly introduced other tests like the Bronco Test, a rugby-inspired fitness metric, into training regimes. This expansion signals evolving criteria for athletic readiness in Indian cricket.
Where Does This Leave Kohli?
- Kohli’s last documented Yo‑Yo Test score remains 17.2.
- He has not yet taken part in the 2025 pre-season fitness assessments, although it’s possible he will when necessary.
- His legacy as a fitness icon remains intact — but shifting standards and elite performances by teammates and athletes in other sports offer compelling comparisons.
Summary Table: Kohli’s Yo‑Yo Test at a Glance
| Aspect | Details (as of 2025) |
|---|---|
| Kohli’s Known Score | 17.2 (remains his benchmark) |
| Confidential Reminders | BCCI emphasized that fitness scores should remain confidential |
| 2025 Testing Participation | Not confirmed; other players have already completed testing |
| Comparison with Peers | Shubman Gill scored 18.7, exceeding Kohli’s known mark |
| Cross-Sport Perspective | Hockey scores consistently surpass cricket—some up to 23.8 |
| Fitness Protocols Tracking | Bronco Test emerging alongside Yo‑Yo and Dexa in fitness evaluation regimes |
Read more: Virat Kohli Captaincy Record
Final Thoughts
By mid‑2025, Virat Kohli’s Yo‑Yo Test identity still centers on a 17.2 score — a significant standard in Indian cricket history. Yet, with newer players like Shubman Gill pushing the envelope and cross-sport comparisons highlighting even higher fitness levels, the landscape is changing. Meanwhile, evolving fitness protocols and Kohli’s unclear current testing status add mystery to his athletic standing this year
