Kohli, Rohit & Jadeja To Undergo Fitness Test Ahead Of Asia Cup

image-llonrd2cVirat Kohli and Rohit Sharma form the backbone of Indian batting [Source: X]

With their sights set on the marquee ODI tournaments, Team India players will assemble in Bengaluru for a preparatory camp ahead of the Asia Cup 2023. The six-day camp will take place in Alur, which also hosted Australia before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.

Several key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj, who were rested from India's 3-T20I tour of Ireland, have regrouped with the squad. 

All the aforementioned players will need to pass a fitness test first and then be allowed to take part in the Asia Cup. The BCCI had given a 13-day regimen for players who returned from the Caribbean and did not visit Ireland and Mohammad Shami, who last played for India in the WTC Final.

The programme focused on agility and strength, apart from undergoing gym, walking, swimming and running sessions, which were different for specific players. Interestingly, both Kohli and Sharma were advised to take yoga sessions. 

With the Asia Cup and the ICC World Cup 2023 in sight, the BCCI is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the players are in the pink of their health. 

As stated in a report by the Indian Express, all Indian players will undergo full body check-ups under the guidance of Physio from the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Any player who fails to clear the standards will be pulled out of the Asia Cup squad.


Here's what BCCI official said

“This is a special programme designed for players as we want them fit for the next two months. The trainer will come to know who has followed the programme and who hasn’t. The team management will then take a call on what to do with players who have not followed their programme."

After the Asia Cup, India will play a three-match ODI series against Australia ahead of the World Cup on home soil.