Indian cricketers, including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah, recently assembled at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to undergo fitness tests ahead of the upcoming international season.
However, one familiar face was missing from the get-together was Virat Kohli as the star batter reportedly did not fly back to India to take the tests.
According to a report published in Dainik Jagran, Kohli did not miss the recent fitness tests but it was conducted in London.
A BCCI official told the leading Hindi daily that Kohli “would have definitely taken permission” to give his fitness test in London, but this special exception has all the potential to trigger a major controversy.
While no clarification has been provided to address such claims, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra reckons that even if the reports are true, no one needs to be bothered by it.
“These are just speculations and reports at this point. There is no confirmation or clarification that Virat Kohli gave his fitness Test in London and others gave it in Bengaluru. Of course, he wasn’t here, but we haven’t seen pictures of him giving it in London," Chopra said while speaking on CREX.
“But even if he has, let us assume he did, how does it matter?" the former India opener questioned.
Chopra further stated that it could be an example for the future, where other players could undergo the fitness test from wherever they are.
“Honestly, he just set the precedent that the next time, if anyone is anywhere else, they can give the fitness Test from there. If someone does this once, then you draw a line in the sand that this is the rule," Chopra said.
“It may not be necessary in that rule for everyone to go to Bengaluru. If someone is available anywhere, let them do the Test there. If there is even some truth in this, then it is a new normal," he remarked.
The Indian men’s team travelled to Dubai for the Asia Cup 2025 after the players completed the fitness test. The board didn’t provide any update on the fitness reports of any cricketer.
