The Indian Cricket Team is renowned for its exceptional fitness standards in the world of cricket. While there’s a prevailing belief that athletes require a diet rich in chicken and other non-vegetarian foods, some Indian cricketers are breaking this stereotype by embracing a vegetarian lifestyle. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 Indian cricketers who have chosen the path of vegetarianism.
1. Virat Kohli
India’s cricket team captain, Virat Kohli, is a global fitness icon. Many aspiring athletes look up to him. While Kohli includes eggs in his diet, he transitioned to a vegetarian lifestyle around 2018, largely influenced by his wife, Anushka Sharma.
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2. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, a prolific opener known for his ability to score big runs, is a vegetarian who also consumes eggs. He is actively involved in campaigns advocating for the conservation of the Great One-Horned Rhinos.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara, a significant batsman in India’s Test Team, believes in a slow and steady approach to the game. He follows a lacto-vegetarian diet and avoids excessive spices.
4. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma, India’s valuable seam pacer, used to consume chicken in his earlier days but shifted to a vegetarian diet to enhance his fitness. He participated in the Ban Meat Event in 2018.
5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Known as the Swing King, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is renowned for his unplayable swing deliveries. He adheres to a vegetarian diet primarily consisting of fruits and vegetables to maintain his athletic performance.
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6. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, a legendary bowler with over 400 wickets in his name, follows a vegetarian diet to stay fit and doesn’t consume non-vegetarian products.
7. Shikar Dhawan
Shikar Dhawan, known as “Jatt Jee” among his teammates, turned vegetarian in 2018, citing the negative energy associated with a non-vegetarian diet as his reason for the switch.
8. Parthiv Patel
Parthiv Patel, a seasoned domestic cricketer and India’s youngest Test Cricket Wicket-Keeper is a pure vegetarian who avoids onion and garlic in his diet.
9. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina, a renowned left-hand batsman, is a vegetarian who occasionally includes eggs in his diet. He has been a dependable presence in CSK’s batting lineup.
10. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble, the first Indian bowler to take ten wickets in a single inning of a test match, is a vegetarian cricketer. He also served as the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Irfan Pathan once invited him for a vegetarian biryani feast.
These vegetarian Indian cricketers challenge the notion that non-vegetarian diets are essential for athletic performance, proving that excellence in cricket can be achieved while following a plant-based lifestyle.
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