Former first class cricketer and Assam captain Parag Das, who still enjoys an enviable fitness level at the age of 46, prescribes free hand workouts and a balanced diet for sportspersons during Covid-19 induced lockdown to keep themselves fit.

The 48 first-class match veteran, who still features in local invitation tournaments to eclipse performances of the younger and fitter counterparts with his all-round prowess on the greens, indeed eats to live unlike some others who live to eat.

“In our days there was no weight training in cricket fitness regime. We were prescribed mostly arduous freehand exercises which I used to do ardently. We were told that the fitness and strength we build with freehand exercises are never lost which I have experienced myself to be very true. I still do the same workouts to keep myself fit and I would like to suggest it to the younger generations as well,” Parag told The Telegraph.

“Food habits are also equally important for fitness maintenance. Everybody, obviously, knows what to eat to be a sportsperson, but most of us do not know how much to eat. Like any other human being, I eat when I am hungry and I eat frequently. But, I never overeat even if I am served the cuisine I love most. I always keep space empty in my stomach which is always a healthy practice according to dieticians,” Parag added.

“So, I would like to suggest every single sportsperson to practise the two ideas during this lockdown to keep themselves fit for the times when sports will resume,” he said when asked about his fitness mantra.