Proper fitness and training are a must for every sportsperson today. No matter which field of sports you are associated with, a nutrition-rich diet, exercising, and taking extreme care of physical health are an absolute mandate.

World-renowned athletes also inspire the younger generation to emphasize their physical health and lead a disciplined life. On this note, let's take a look at the top 6 male fittest players in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time and a huge inspiration to billions. Apart from his football skills, the entire world knows Ronaldo for his chisled and well-featured physique.

The Portuguese captain had the physical capabilities of a 20-year-old when he joined Juventus in 2018. 

He had 7% body fat and a muscle mass of 50%. He weighs around 79 kg. The pivotal reason behind these extreme physical abilities is his dedication to fitness and his physical health.

No wonder his performances advanced at this level throughout the past years. 

Ronaldo focuses on his sleep and nutrition as he eats five times a day and sleeps 8 hours as well. The 39-year-old has an extreme fitness routine. He enjoys his cardio, pilates and strength exercises. 

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly the athlete who revolutionized the concept of fitness in India. He is one of the fittest athletes in India at the moment. The former Indian test skipper influenced, and still influences his teammates, the younger generation, and his fans to follow the path of a proper fitness regime.

There has been a massive improvement in his performance since he started eating clean and followed a definite path of athleticism.

Kohli weighs around 74.5-75 kg and has been maintaining that weight for the last few years. He is one of the fastest runners in cricket and focuses on nutrition and strength training to stay fit.

Mohamed Salah

The current Liverpool winger did not look like this when he left England in 2015 to join Italian Club Fiorentina and then Roma. However, since then, Egyptian footballers have become some of the fittest players in the world. 

He has a very low body fat percentage and maintains a disciplined life, making a lot of sacrifices to remain in shape. 

Salah generally has mixed variants of food to have all kinds of nutrition and then focuses on his training to stay fit. He normally trains twice a day if he is skipping his football practice. "My nutritionist says that because I don't have any fat on my body, I can eat what I want. I also don't drink, so it's fine," Salah told CNN in 2020. Discover the world of football with https://1xbitpakistan.com/

LeBron James

The 6 feet 8 inches tall LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. The 113-kilo weight basketballer is undoubtedly the oldest NBA player currently.

James, throughout his career, has remained fit and lean. However, in 2014, he gained some weight but then lost many kilos with his diet and training. "I am very consistent with training my body, rehabbing my body, eating, having my body be very clean throughout this journey because I've always wanted to have a long career, or as long as I could be in this space," James told Tim Ferriss in an interview in 2018. 

Moreover, he sleeps more than 8 hours a day and sometimes 9 or 10 to recover well.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most influential figures in modern football. The 42-year-old, even after calling it a day, follows a strict regime to remain in his fittest form. According to GQItalia, his food items are carefully weighed on a scale.

No matter how small a quantity the food is, everything needs to be measured to the exact gram. Also, junk food is a strict no for him. His workout routine, along with a strict diet, are the reasons behind his fitness and strength

Rich Froning

This list would remain incomplete without Rich Froning, the greatest CrossFit athlete of all time. He is the first and only athlete to clinch the title of "Fittest Man on Earth" 4 times consecutively from 2011. He is immensely powerful and can deadlift 545 pounds. Also, he can snatch 300 pounds, and do 75 chin-ups after deadlifting 545 pounds. His interest in strength and CrossFit games began during his fire department training days.

While team victories are the ultimate goal in IPL, the 'Player of the Match' (P.O.T.M) award is the direct recognition of a player's game-changing performance.

Winning P.O.T.M a couple of times shows how a player has outshined the rest and truly dominated the game. We will now explore the players with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL.

Keep an eye out, as Rohit Sharma is remarkably close to reaching the top.

1. AB de Villiers (25 P.O.T.M Awards)

The "Mr. 360" of cricket, AB de Villiers, holds the most P.O.T.M awards in IPL history with 25 awards throughout his career with DC and primarily Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Whether it was fast paced fifties or scorching hundreds, his impact was undeniable. His IPL career spanned from 2008-2021, and yet no one could match his numbers in terms of Player of the match awards.

Read Also: Most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history

2. Chris Gayle (22 P.O.T.M Awards)

Whether it's the list of most sixes in IPL or highest individual scores, this West Indies legend always finds his spot in the top for all of them. Chris Gayle has the second-most P.O.T.M awards in IPL with 22 awards in total.

He played for franchises like KKR, PBKS, and RCB, and won multiple awards at his prime years like 2011 (smashed 2 centuries), 2012 (claimed the Orange Cap) and of course, 2013, where he scored the monumental 175* against PWI.

3. Rohit Sharma (21 P.O.T.M Awards)

Rohit Sharma is the Indian player with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL and the third-highest in this list. He received 21 awards and is just an award away to equal Gayle's number. 

Sharma received 2 P.O.T.M awards in IPL 2025; one for his 75* (45 balls) against CSK in league stage, and the other for his 81 runs off 50 balls against GT in IPL Eliminator.

As Mumbai Indians are set to play the Qualifier 2 this season, there's high chances of Rohit bagging another one (or maybe 2).

Read Also: 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

4. Virat Kohli (19 P.O.T.M Awards)

One of the most consistent run-scorer and match-winner for RCB, Virat Kohli stands fourth with an impressive 19 P.O.T.M awards in IPL. He is like the heart of the team and doesn't need awards to measure his greatness.

Kohli has won a P.O.T.M award in IPL 2025 for his unbeaten 73 runs against Punjab Kings. He has scored 8 half-centuries so far this season and there might be another loading as RCB is set to play the Final.

Kohli received multiple P.O.T.M awards during the 2016 season where he scored the record-breaking 973 runs.

Read Also: IPL 2025: RCB batters create this unique history before the playoffs

5. David Warner (18 P.O.T.M Awards)

The Australian legend, David Warner, had an incredible journey in IPL. He was the key player of every franchise that he represented, such as Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He won 18 P.O.T.M awards in IPL.

He has also been a three-times orange cap winner (2015, 2017, 2019), which tells a lot about his career peak in IPL and the shower of P.O.T.M awards in those years.

6. MS Dhoni (18 P.O.T.M Awards)

The five-time IPL winning captain, MS Dhoni, equals the number of P.O.T.M awards as Warner with 18 awards in IPL. His unparallel impact, captaincy, and match finishing abilities has earned him this high count of awards.

In IPL 2025, Dhoni won the P.O.T.M award by delivering a match-winning knock of 26* runs off just 11 balls against LSG, which also made him the oldest player to win a P.O.T.M award in IPL history, at the age of 43 years and 280 days.

The IPL is like a festival of sports for India as we call it. It is also the festival of explosive and jaw-dropping sixes. The list for most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history is led by one and only, Chris Gayle. It is not surprising one bit, is it? 

Dive into the list of several batters that are so close to match Gayle's six-hitting numbers, where some names will surely surprise you.

1. Chris Gayle (357 sixes)

When it comes to hitting sixes in IPL, there is Chris Gayle, and then there's everyone else. This West Indies legend tops the chart for most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history with 357 sixes (in just 141 innings)!

Gayle's IPL journey spanned from 2009 to 2021, and he was the first batsman to cross the 300-mark in terms of sixes. He displayed his batting peak with franchises like KKR, PBKS, and especially RCB.

His most memorable six-hitting moment of IPL came in 2013 when he smashed 175* runs off 66 balls against PWI, hitting 17 explosive sixes.

Read Also: 5 batters with the most runs in IPL playoffs history

2. Rohit Sharma (302 sixes)

Known for his aggressive start and batting, Rohit Sharma, is the only batter who has hit 300+ sixes after Gayle in IPL history. He holds the second place, with 302 sixes (in 265 innings).

The hitman doesn't like to take things slow, and always delivers the ball out of the boundary with his powerful pulls and cover drives. Once he gets in his six-hitting zone, it truly gets difficult to stop him!

Sharma has consistently stood up for the team, and these numbers are about to get high as he will continue to play and dominate in IPL in the future.

3. Virat Kohli (291 sixes)

When has it occurred that there's a list of excellent batting records where this man doesn't hold a spot? 

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, holds the 3rd position with 291 sixes (in 258 innings). Even though he is widely known for his exquisite cover drives and hitting smooth boundaries, his ability to time the ball perfectly out for a six has been phenomenal throughout his IPL career.

Kohli is just 9 sixes away to cross the 300-mark, that he might cross in IPL 2025 itself!

Read Also: IPL records - Batters with most 500+ runs seasons: Kohli breaks Warner's records

4. MS Dhoni (264 sixes)

MS Dhoni, like the greatest finisher he is, has hit an impressive 264 sixes (in 242 innings) in his IPL career so far. He has been brutal in the death overs and has always made sure his team takes the victory home when he his unbeaten at the crease.

Dhoni's six-hitting skills often changes the momentum of the game and puts the opposition under immense pressure, as he becomes unstoppable!

5. AB de Villiers (251 sixes)

The South African legend, AB de Villiers, holds several batting records and had delivered many cherishable moments for RCB throughout his IPL journey (2008-2021), and this is one of them. He is the 5th batter to have 250+ sixes in IPL history.

He hit 251 sixes (in 170 innings) which tells a lot about his phenomenal skills and love for hitting sixes. He had the ability to deliver the ball in every corner of the stadium and was called "Mr. 360" for a reason!

Read Also: Most Sixes in an innings by an Indian in IPL

Other batters with 200+ sixes in IPL history

Never before has an IPL team displayed such diverse batting depth as Royal Challengers Bengaluru did in IPL 2025. This season, they set a new league record by having 10 different players who each scored at least one half-century.

They broke the previous benchmark set by Mumbai Indians of nine different half-centurions in 2017. Find out how RCB batters create this unique history before the playoffs to take this game to another level.

1. Virat Kohli (8 half-centuries)

The chase master, Virat Kohli, is leading the pack with 8 half-centuries to his name in IPL 2025. He started this season with a fifty and ended the league stage with scoring his 8th one of this season.

He's been incredibly consistent throughout, and scored 602 runs in 13 matches, with a strike rate above 147. He is also among the top 5 contenders in the race for Orange Cap.

Kohli fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs KKR: 59* runs (36 balls)
• vs MI: 67 runs (42 balls)
• vs RR: 70 runs (42 balls)
• vs PBKS: 73* runs (54 balls)
• vs RR: 62* runs (45 balls)
• vs DC: 51 runs (47 balls)
• vs CSK: 62 runs (33 balls)
• vs LSG: 54 runs (30 balls)

𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘆 of the season for @virat.kohli 🔥

The King leading the chase for #RCB 👑

They need 113 runs from 60 deliveries.

Updates ▶ https://t.co/h5KnqyuYZE #TATAIPL | #LSGvRCB | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/9Ti12G4veI

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2025

2. Phil Salt (3 half-centuries)

The England batter, Phil Salt, proved to be a key opener along with Kohli for the team in IPL 2025. He also started the season with scoring a fifty against KKR, and contributed with 331 runs across 11 matches played.

Salt fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs KKR: 56 runs (31 balls)
• vs RR: 65 runs (33 balls)
• vs SRH: 62 runs (32 balls)

Read Also: IPL 2025: RCB create a unique record that none has achieved in league's history

3. Rajat Patidar (2 half-centuries)

The skipper, Rajat Patidar, has not been able to fire with the bat much, but he stood up for RCB whenever he could. This season, he scored 2 half-centuries against two big teams (MI & CSK).

Patidar fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs MI: 64 runs (32 balls)
• vs CSK: 51 runs (32 balls)

4. Devdutt Padikkal (2 half-centuries)

Batting at no. 3, Devdutt Padikkal, has served as a vital asset for RCB in crucial games. He proved the fans how he was deserving of his position in the playing XI, by delivering spectacular knocks and 2 half-centuries.

Unfortunately, Padikkal had to leave mid-season due to injury issues, but his contribution makes him the fourth batter that helped RCB create this unique history before the playoffs.

Read Also: Every heated moment of IPL 2025 that you missed

Padikkal fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs PBKS: 61 runs (35 balls)
• vs RR: 50 runs (27 balls)

5. Jacob Bethell (1 half-century)

The 21-year-old Jacob Bethell is the youngest half-centurion of this season for RCB. He scored his maiden IPL fifty against Chennai Super Kings and made his mark with a banger.

Bethell fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs CSK: 55 runs (33 balls)

6. Tim David (1 half-century)

Tim David is like the backbone of RCB who stands strong along the boundary line and never lets a ball pass through! Besides his on-field contribution with his spectacular catching and fielding skills, this power-hitter has delivered with the bat too.

David scored his maiden IPL fifty against PBKS and that was a treat to watch. He comes to bat at crucial times and makes sure his team reaches a defendable total.

David fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs PBKS: 50* runs (26 balls)

Maiden #TATAIPL fifty for Tim David 👊

Relive his three consecutive sixes 🚀

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/7fIn60rqKZ #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/iGtby4FPTy

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2025

7. Krunal Pandya (1 half-century)

Krunal Pandya is one of the most consistent all-rounder of this season for RCB. He has taken crucial wickets for the team and helped them earn those crucial points.

Apart from bowling, Pandya scored a match-winning half-century against Delhi Capitals. He came to bat at the time when RCB's batting order collapsed early, and delivered an amazing knock.

Pandya fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs DC: 73 runs (47 balls)

Read Also: Highest partnerships in IPL 2025

8. Romario Shepherd (1 half-century)

Romario Shepherd's half-century against CSK in IPL 2025 was is an explosive batting tale to talk about. His unbeaten 53* off just 14 balls left the bowlers and spectators stunned!

Shepherd single-handedly scored 33 runs off the 19th over and showered the fans with sixes.

Shepherd fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs CSK: 53* runs (14 balls)

Are you not entertained? 🤩

Romario Shepherd thrilled the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with a 'blink and you miss' knock 🫡🔥

Updates ▶ https://t.co/I4Eij3ZNlN#TATAIPL | #RCBvCSK | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/uPDjTUpOvY

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2025

9. Liam Livingstone (1 half-century)

The English all-rounder, Liam Livingstone, etched his name in the list of half-centurions for RCB by scoring one against Gujarat Titans in their league match. He helped the team reach a respectable total when they had lost all hopes in the first inning of the match.

Livingstone fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs GT: 54 runs (40 balls)

10. Jitesh Sharma (1 half-century)

Here comes the 10th batter whose half-century was a special one for RCB. Jitesh Sharma, who became the stand-in captain for the team, scored his first fifty for the team in their last league match.

He showed no mercy to the bowlers and scored 85* off just 33 balls to help RCB chase down a big total and reach top-two in the points table. 

Read Also: Highest Successful Run Chases in IPL History

Sharma fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs LSG: 85* runs (33 balls)

𝙅𝙖𝙯𝙯𝙮 𝙅𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙝 😎

An absolute masterclass 👏#RCB fans, a word for your captain 👇

Updates ▶ https://t.co/h5KnqyuYZE #TATAIPL | #LSGvRCB | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/Z4GN9RoRKB

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2025

The first playoff match of the 18th season of Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played tomorrow, Thursday, May 29. The first qualifier match will be played between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

After the group stage, PBKS finished first in the points table while RCB finished second. Now the team that wins the Qualifier-1 match will get a 'Ticket to the Final'.

Also Read: Every heated moment of IPL 2025 that you missed

Both the teams had a great season so far and are among the favourites to lift their maiden IPL title this year. PBKS have qualified into the playoffs after 11 years while RCB made into the top-two for the first time after 2016.

Ahead of their clash in the IPL 2025 playoffs, PBKS and RCB met twice in the league stage this year with both teams winning one game each. Now, looking for their maiden title, both PBKS and RCB are now just a win away from getting into the final. However, the losing team will also get another chance in the qualifier two. 

From possible playing XIs to head-to-head record, here is everything you need to know about the Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Qualifier 1 in IPL 2025.

Match Details

• Match: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
• Tournament: IPL 2025, Qualifier 1
• Date: 29 May 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadiu, New Chandigarh

Streaming Details

Cricket fans from India can watch the PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 LIVE on Star Sports TV Channels on Television. They can also stream the match LIVE on JioHotstar for free.

Pitch Report

The newly-constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh provides an equal contest for both the batters and the bowlers. Out of eight IPL matches played at this ground so far, the team batting first five times while the chasing team came out victorious on four occasions. The average score at this ground is around 170 runs.

Weather Report

The New PCA stadium in Mullanpur is expected to witness temperature highs of up to 40 degree Celsius and lows of 24 degree Celsius on Thursday, with the forecast predicting a mostly sunny day, with the chance of a few clouds.

PBKS vs RCB: Head-to-Head Record

Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced each other 35 times in the IPL history so far. Out of these 35 matches, PBKS won 18 times while RCB defeated them on 17 occasions.

PBKS vs RCB: Recent Team Performances

Also Read: IPL Table toppers: IPL Playoffs teams from 2008 to 2025

Possible XIs

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh

Impact Subs: Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma

Impact Subs: Rajat Patidar

Fantasy Team Prediction

Prabhsimran Singh (vc), Josh Inglis, Phil Salt, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Priyansh Arya, Mayank Agarwal, Krunal Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harpreet Brar.

The European Golden Boot or European Golden Shoe is awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in league matches in the top divisions of European football. First awarded in 1968, this prestigious honour is judged on a points-based system.

Also Read: Players with the most champions league titles

Golden Boot: Rules

The winner is not simply the player with the most goals in the season. There is a weighting system where the goals scored in the top-ranked leagues are worth more. Players from the five highest ranked leagues according to UEFA (based on results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons) get 2 points per scored goal, leagues ranked 6-22 get 1.5 points per goal and the remaining leagues get 1 point per goal.

The top five ranked leagues in 2022 were Germany, Spain, England, Italy, and France. The winners usually come from the top-ranked leagues.

Historical Overview

Between 1968 and 1991, the award was given by L'Équipe to the highest goalscorer in any European league. Between 1991 and 1996 there were no official awards given to the top goal scorers, but the leading goalscorer for those years have since been recognized.

Since the 1996–97 season, the award, given by European Sports Media, has used a weighted points system.

Most Golden Boots win

Lionel Messi has won the European Golden Boot a record six times (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19). The next closest is Cristiano Ronaldo with four (2007-08, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2014-15).

Let's take a look at the most Golden Boots win in football history.

Also Read: Manchester United Trophy Cabinet

Most Golden Boots win in football history (All Time)

1. Lionel Messi | 6 Times

2. Cristiano Ronaldo | 4 Times

3. Luis Suárez | 2 Times

4. Thierry Henry | 2 Times

5. Robert Lewandowski | 2 Times