In the Indian Premier League (IPL), teams must have players who are unprecedented on the fitness scale. Chennai Super Kings, who are the best side in the league along with Mumbai Indians (MI), had Suresh Raina and Dwayne Bravo in their squad. Both players used to be exceptionally well when it came to fitness.
As a batter, they used to produce fierce knocks from their bats while as a fielder, they were known for pulling off stunners with ease. MI also had an all-rounder like Kieron Pollard, who used to make a vital contribution to the side in all departments of the game. Pollard was stellar when it was about maintaining fitness. The brawny West Indies player used to be swift while running between the wickets. As a fielder, he was known for grabbing unbelievable screamers.
After 15 years, the level of competition has soared high in IPL and fitness is a crucial aspect for every team. In the upcoming IPL edition, it’s going to be an important factor again. Discussing more, let’s know the fittest player from every team.
Here is the list of fittest players from each team in IPL 2024:
10. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)- Quinton de Kock
South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock is an integral part of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The Protea stalwart has been a part of LSG since its debut in 2022. Currently, he can be considered the fittest player in the camp. As a batter, he not only possesses the power to hit huge strokes but also steals runs with his sensational running skills.
While serving the team as a stumper, he doesn’t miss any stumping chance against batters. When it comes to taking catches, he has maintained the reputation of clinching difficult catches comfortably. In the last two years, he has taken some extraordinary grabs for the side.
9. Gujarat Titans (GT)- Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan is a vital cog in the GT team. The leg-break bowler was previously a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) until 2021. He became a huge name in the cash-rich due to his remarkable fitness. In his six-year IPL career, he has shown up for his teams in every edition.
As a bowler, he is one of the best spinners in the cash-rich league. The star player has claimed 139 wickets in 109 IPL matches at an economy of 6.67. Apart from bowling, the Afghan stalwart is known for his extraordinary fielding prowess. Along with David Miller and Shubman Gill, he is the best fielder in the team.
8. Punjab Kings (PBKS)- Shikhar Dhawan
Punjab Kings (PBKS) heavily bank on Shikhar Dhawan in the IPL. The southpaw has been the skipper of the side since 2022 and he is expected to lead the pack from the front. He is 38 but never compromises when it comes to fitness. In the previous two seasons, Dhawan did a superb job as an opener, ending up as the leading run-scorer for the team in both seasons.
Dhawan is also an important member of the team due to his fielding. At the age of 38, the veteran never hesitates to dive like a youngster to complete difficult catches. He succeeds in displaying spunky batting and fielding efforts due to his fitness. He maintains his physique with regular workouts and a disciplined diet.
7. Delhi Capitals (DC)- David Warner
Like Dhawan, Australia’s David Warner also works hard to keep himself fit and healthy. The Australia player has been representing Delhi Capitals (DC) in the cash-rich league since 2022 and in these two years, he has looked decent with his bat. Warner is 37 but his advanced age hasn’t affected him negatively.
The veteran still possesses the potential to take quality bowling attacks to the cleaners. One can witness the Aussie playing a variety of strokes without any hassle. Apart from batting, he is also known for saving crucial runs and pulling off screamers for his team.
6. Rajasthan Royals (RR)- Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler joined Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2018 and in these five years, he has justified his role in the team. The England stalwart serves his national side as a wicketkeeper-batter but in the RR team, he relinquishes his wicketkeeping gloves as captain Sanju Samson does the job of a stumper.
Donning the pink jersey, he adds value to the team with his fielding and batting efforts. Talking about his fitness, cricket fans can see how effortlessly he plays flip shots and ramp shots. In case, someone still doubts his athleticism, one should be shown his marvellous stunners for the team as a fielder.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)- Travis Head
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have signed up the Australian player Travis Head for INR 6.8 crore for the 2024 IPL season. He looked fabulous as a batter in the 2023 World Cup, scoring 329 runs in six innings at a notable strike rate of 127.51. His brilliant performance enticed Hyderabad and they fetched him at the business event.
The 30-year-old is one of the fittest players in the cricketing circle and he will be expected to uplift the team’s performance. With the bat, he is known for becoming a nightmare for bowlers. As a fielder, he is known for giving a tough time to the opponents with his athleticism. His grab to get rid of Rohit Sharma in the 2023 World Cup final speaks a lot about his fitness.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)- Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh has become a huge player in the cricketing circle after his heroics for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the cash-rich league. The 26-year-old has become an important member of the KKR team due to his spunky batting attitude. Currently, he plays the role of a match-finisher in the team.
He is also a superior fielder in the team with the ability to swoop down on the ball to make batters’ jobs difficult. He succeeds in giving his best on the field due to his fitness which he maintains through regular workouts. On his Instagram account, fans can see Rinku’s fondness for fitness through his pictures at the gym.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)- Faf du Plessis
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis needs no introduction when it comes to fitness. He has a ripped physique and chiseled abs that attract a lot of attention. His excellent body keeps his confidence high and allows him to perform difficult physical tasks with ease.
His power-hitting potential makes him one of the most dangerous batters in T20 cricket. No matter how big the boundary is, Du Plessis will be seen displaying his physical strength by clearing it flawlessly. His fitness level can be understood after watching his incredible catches while fielding. There are several matches to recall in the IPL when the Protea won the game for the RCB team with his fielding exploits.
2. Mumbai Indians (MI)- Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav will be the deputy of Mumbai Indians’ (MI) newly-appointed skipper Hardik Pandya. The 33-year-old is an exceptional hitter of the ball in cricket’s shortest format. His magnificent physical strength is one of the biggest factors that helps him to score big maximums.
The secret of his physical strength is his arduous training. He exercises regularly in the gym and also follows a strict diet that maintains his level of fitness. Currently, Surya is also one of the best fielders of MI as his effectiveness can be witnessed when strenuous efforts are required in crunch situations.
1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)- Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja’s fielding prowess is known to every cricket supporter. In his 16-year IPL career, he has won a lot of games for his teams with his extraordinary all-round talent. The 35-year-old has been associated with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since 2012 and in these years, he has delivered some amazing memories to the Yellow Army’s fans.
Jadeja can be considered the fittest player on the CSK team. The veteran possesses the ability to turn games in his side’s favour with his unprecedented fielding talent. His main role is to serve the team as a bowler but he can play big shots with his bat and snatch matches for his opponents. In the 2023 IPL final, he took CSK home with a boundary in the last ball of the game and gave a stern message to folks who underestimated his batting skills.
In Jadeja’s success, his fitness has played an important role. The India all-rounder dedicates a lot of time to maintaining his physique. He follows a healthy routine, exercises regularly, and consumes nutritious foods.
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