In a recent development, the BCCI has reportedly asked all the national players, who are not part of the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, to reach the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

According to a Cricbuzz report, the players will undergo a 10-day fitness grind at the NCA prior to the IPL 2022, due to get underway on March 26.

The report further says that the board took the decision on the advice of the national selection committee, which wants the players' fitness concerns addressed before the daunting IPL season.

Friday (March 4) was the deadline for the players to arrive at NCA and the camp was scheduled to start on Saturday (March 5).

The national level cricketers, be it contracted or non-contracted, have been told to go to the NCA and the players’ list includes the likes of KL Rahul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, among others.

Besides, some players are featuring in the Ranji Trophy and they will have to reach Bangalore after the third and final round league games, due to end on Sunday (March 6).

"There are about 25 of them. The NCA will assess their fitness levels ahead of the IPL. The purpose is to have a camp before they disperse for their respective IPL duties," Cricbuzz quoted a BCCI official as saying.

Notably, players such as Surya Kumar Yadav, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar were already at the NCA after sustaining injuries last month. Their rehabilitation is underway and their fitness is being monitored by the NCA authorities.

(With Cricbuzz inputs)