Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who now only play one format for India—ODIs—are anticipated to take part in the three-match series against Australia in October 2025. Their future in international cricket is still up in the air though. According to a recent report, Rohit and Virat may play their final series in Indian colors in October as the present team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, may overlook the duo for the 2027 World Cup.
According to the same report, if the two game mainstays have aspirations of playing the World Cup in South Africa, they may be asked to compete in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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Despite the commotion, Rohit and Virat have begun getting ready for their upcoming major task. At the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, seven players, including India's ODI skipper Rohit, will go through a pre-fitness test.
In addition to Rohit, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammad Siraj, and Shardul Thakur will all go through the Yo-Yo Test. To ascertain their bone density, these athletes will also take the Dexa Can test.
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The Yo-Yo drills are part of the pre-season fitness routine. However, there is no clarity on Virat Kohli’s participation. Having retired from Test cricket in May this year, it remains uncertain when the former India captain will take the assessment.
Additionally, Rohit is taking the fitness test for the first time since declaring his retirement from Tests.
A representative of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed to the Indian Express that all players under central contract are required to take a fitness test before to the season. According to the board's rules, this is mandatory.
“All players have to undergo a pre-season fitness Test, it’s mandatory as per the contract. These tests help the COE understand the areas the players have to work on or where they are lacking. As there was a big break (after the England Test series), the players were given sets of exercises to do at home," the BCCI official stated.
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Prior to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series against England, both Virat and Rohit quit Test cricket. After India won the 2024 World Cup, the duo also stopped playing Twenty20 Internationals.
Adrian le Roux, the current strength and conditioning coach for the Indian team, has already suggested including the rugby-focused Bronco Test in the fitness evaluations.
The Indian Express claims that later in the season, the Bronco Test will be included in the regimen. Ahead of the Asia Cup, which starts on September 9, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav have already shown up for the fitness test.
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