Virat Kohli has long been the face of Indian cricket’s fitness revolution, and his Yo-Yo test scores have inspired an entire generation of players. Although the BCCI now keeps individual fitness scores confidential, Kohli’s numbers that are publicly known tell the story of one of the fittest athletes to play the game.
This article takes a detailed look at Virat Kohli Yo-Yo test scores from 2017 to 2025, his fitness journey, and why he continues to set the gold standard for Indian cricket.
What is the Yo-Yo Test?
The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test is a popular fitness test used in international cricket to measure a player’s endurance and recovery ability.
- Players run back and forth between two cones set 20 meters apart at increasing speeds.
- The score reflects the level achieved before exhaustion, with 16.1 to 16.5 considered the minimum passing mark for Indian players.
Under Kohli’s captaincy, the Yo-Yo test became a non-negotiable criterion for selection, ensuring the team reached new levels of fitness.
Virat Kohli Yo-Yo Test Scores Till 2025
| Year | Yo-Yo Test Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2017-2018 | 19.0 | Kohli’s highest publicly reported score. He set a benchmark for the team and made Yo-Yo test clearance mandatory for selection. |
| 2019-2022 | Consistently above 16.5 | Though exact numbers were not revealed, reports suggest Kohli always cleared the required level comfortably. |
| August 2023 | 17.2 | Kohli shared his score on Instagram ahead of the Asia Cup with the caption: “The happiness of finishing the Yo-Yo test between the dreaded cones. 17.2 done.” |
| 2025 | 21.6 | King Kohli Passes Yo Yo Test With Score of 21.6 Highest Ever by Indian Cricketer. |
Virat Kohli commitment to fitness has changed Indian cricket forever. When he took over as captain, he made it clear that fitness would be a key selection parameter. His personal benchmark score of 19 pushed other players to improve their endurance levels.
Even as he approaches the twilight of his career, Kohli continues to be among the fittest in the squad. According to insiders, he consistently clears the benchmark despite BCCI not revealing scores publicly.
Virat Kohli (August 2023) – “The happiness of finishing the Yo-Yo test between the dreaded cones. 17.2 done.”
This post on Instagram went viral, reinforcing Kohli’s dedication even after more than a decade in international cricket.
Hardik Singh (Indian Hockey Star): “In cricket, if anyone is scoring 19 or 20 on the Yo-Yo Test, people call it the fittest. But Sreejesh (hockey goalkeeper) scores 21.”
This comparison highlights how Kohli’s Yo-Yo score is elite by cricketing standards and a benchmark for cricketers worldwide.
