Suryakumar Yadav reveals how he maintains fitness without giving up biryani and butter chicken

Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav manages to stay fit while keeping his favourite meals like butter chicken and biryani on his plate through strict portion control. In a recent interview, the 36-year-old athlete explained that professional sports training does not require a complete ban on enjoyable foods. Instead, he focuses on knowing when to eat and when to hold back.

Lifestyle Changes

After marrying Devisha Shetty in 2016, the couple discussed the changes needed for him to advance his cricket career. He cut back on late nights and weekend outings while prioritizing sleep, recovery, and training. His daily routine grew to include gym sessions, running, batting practice, yoga, meditation, stretching, and physical recovery. While some days demanded two training sessions, he also protected his time for rest and family. He had to drop sugar completely, cutting out desserts and ice cream as daily items, though he treats himself with them occasionally as rewards for his achievements.

Results And Approach

Although the shift was difficult at first and required breaking old weekend habits, he noticed physical and mental improvements within a few weeks. His body felt different on the field, leaving him feeling fresh, positive, and relaxed during matches. His core message centres on building habits that last over time rather than following extreme or harsh restrictions.

Context

Modern elite sports training places heavy emphasis on discipline and consistent recovery routines alongside diet to maintain peak athletic performance over long seasons. Professional athletes often work closely with nutrition specialists to balance calorie intake with heavy energy demands without completely removing personal food preferences.