Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are ready to wear the Indian jersey again, having been named in the team for the three-match ODI series against Australia. With the limelight hovering over them, the experienced pair will be keen to prove the speculations about their future particularly with the 2027 World Cup still a couple of years away and doubts regarding their sustainability in the format.
Alongside the squad announcement, chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed a lingering question that had sparked widespread debate earlier this year Virat Kohli’s apparent absence from the mandatory fitness tests.
As part of regular tests, all centrally contracted players were made to get fitness tests conducted at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) and Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Players like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj were spotted undertaking Yo-Yo tests and other physical tests. The absence of Kohli from these sessions, however, raised brows and generated speculation on social media.
Soon after, a report by Dainik Jagran stated that Kohli had been given the green light to undertake his fitness tests privately in London and that later his results were handed over to the CoE. This report incited criticism from the fans and pundits, who accused the BCCI of providing preferential treatment.
At a press conference that was conducted as soon as the squad was announced, Agarkar was asked point-blank to explain the situation. By doing so, he sought to put an end to the controversy, describing the circumstances under which Kohli had taken his fitness test and affirming that all processes were executed duly.
“I think they’ve both done their fitness tests or the fitness norms that have been suggested. Again, I wish Adrian were here or somebody from the team were there. As far as I know or the selectors know, they’ve gone through the required norms that have been put in place,” Agarkar told reporters.
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“So, I haven’t heard anything other than that. Generally, before selection, we provide the COE with names, who then inform us about the fitness status of all the players. And everyone who’s been picked has been declared fit and available,” he added.
With their comeback now finalized, both Rohit and Kohli will be eager to make a powerful statement on the pitch not only to justify their present worth for the team but also to have the door left open for one more World Cup push in 2027.
