I used to feel ashamed seeing Kohli train: Tamim

Virat Kohli is arguably one of the greatest modern day batsmen across formats. The Indian skipper already has 70 international hundreds to his name which is more than anyone else going around currently.

How about Kohli the fitness freak? He spends hours in the gym to keep himself fit. He can challenge any cricketer in the world regarding fitness.

Tamim Iqbal, the newly appointed Bangladesh ODI captain, has recently said that he used to feel ashamed of himself seeing Virat Kohli train. He said that on ESPNCricinfo's videocast with Sanjay Manjrekar.

"I felt ashamed when I used to see Kohli in the gym, running around and all two-three years ago. I have no hesitation to admit this," said Iqbal.

"I thought that this guy is probably of my age. He has been so successful, yet training so hard. But I am not doing probably fifty percent of that. Then I decided to follow him regarding fitness so that I can reach at least 30-40 or 50 percent of his ability," he added.

Iqbal admitted that Bangladeshi cricketers were not too concerned about fitness four-five years back. "It took a lot of time for us to realize how important fitness is. Over the last three-four years we came to understand that we need to be fit enough, so that at least we look good," he mentioned.

Tamim Iqbal once used to think that it was all about scoring runs. But it has changed. "In the past, I used to think that it didn't really matter whether I look fit or not as long as I was scoring runs. But since 2015, I have lost nine kilograms of weight. I have been working hard on fitness. Credit goes to our trainer as well," the veteran opener concluded.