A football icon likens the Indian cricket sensation to Cristiano Ronaldo, saying, Virat Kohli was sending me scores of his tests.

While a bunch of India’s star cricketers, including ODI captain Rohit Sharma, checked into the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence recently for the pre-season fitness tests, former skipper Virat Kohli was a noticeable absence from the drills in Bengaluru. Since then, there have been rumors that Kohli had taken his exams in London, which has sparked discussions about the unusual practice on social media and among former Indian Cricket players.

The legendary Indian football player Sunil Chhetri recently disclosed that Kohli had shown him some of his test results and that he was pleased to be among such great athletes.

It’s addictive to be around Kohli.

He (Kohli) was sending me the results of one of his tests a few days ago. It is incredibly addictive, and getting to know folks like this is wonderful. You think, “Let’s go,” when you see them on your bad days when you’re feeling a little slack. When you are at the top, everyone wants to be a Virat Kohli or Ronaldo, and for these two to keep their place is unbelievable,” India’s record goal-scorer Chhetri said on the DesiPL podcast.

Off the field, Kohli and Chhetri, who are renowned for their unwavering commitment to fitness levels, have a strong bond. Chhetri and Virat Kohli have a history of meeting up in Bengaluru during the Indian Premier League. The 36-year-old’s decision to retire from Test cricket in May 2025 did not surprise the seasoned football player.

Cristiano Ronaldo 🤝 Virat Kohli

Sunil Chhetri talks about the mentality he’s learnt from them.

Watch the full episode on the Premier League website or app.@ManUtd | @chetrisunil11 | @Cristiano | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/HcoW2F1xVj

— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) September 7, 2025

September 7, 2025, Premier League India (@PLforIndia)

Chettri’s comparison between Ronaldo and Kohli

The 41-year-old Chhetri also likened Kohli to the greatest football player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has the most goals in a professional career. Chhetri claimed that the two had similar mindsets. Kohli has frequently cited Ronaldo as his sporting inspiration outside of cricket.

“I’m not intimately acquainted with Cristiano Ronaldo. I have seen and examined him. From Kohli, I know Virat. These two have one thing in common: they simply don’t like what they’ve accomplished thus far. I tried in my whatever way to inculcate the same thing because once when you start getting into that circle where you start thinking about what you have done, good or bad, then you are not in the same track that you want to be,” remarked Chhetri.

“Gaya, whatever happened today is over. If not, how can a player like Ronaldo or Virat Kohli wake up and perform at their peak again? It’s not simple. It is inconceivable to continue doing what they are doing after achieving such long-term success, doing so much, and winning nearly everything.

With a brace against Armenia on Saturday, the 40-year-old Ronaldo made his comeback to scoring for Portugal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. When Kohli will be seen on the field again is unknown at this time. Prior to a limited-overs tour to Australia in late October, India is scheduled to play three 50-over A matches later this month.