The BCCI is diligently preparing to assess the fitness of all Team India cricketers ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup. With less than a fortnight remaining until the Asia Cup kickstarts, closely followed by the World Cup, a sharp focus is being placed on the fitness levels of the Indian players from team india.
Inside sources have revealed that even the cricketers returning from the Windies tour will undergo fitness evaluations.
The Asia Cup’s opening match is set between Pakistan and Nepal in Multan on August 30, while India’s inaugural game against Pakistan is scheduled for September 2 in Kandy.
In the lead-up to the Asia Cup and World Cup, the fortunes of Indian cricket are hinging on the fitness of key players, specifically K.L. Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. According to media reports, the linchpin of the team’s middle order, Shreyas Iyer, is yet to completely recuperate from his injury, casting doubt on his inclusion in the Asia Cup squad.
Trustworthy sources have disclosed that K.L. Rahul is nearing full fitness, currently honing his skills at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and also resuming wicketkeeping practice.
In contrast, the recovery progress of Shreyas Iyer, who underwent back surgery, has been slower than anticipated. Both players are presently training to simulate match scenarios, and the BCCI is poised to announce their fitness status shortly.
Tilak Verma’s Opportunity in team india
Bumrah is enthusiastic about reasserting his form and fitness during the T20 series against Ireland. In the event that Shreyas Iyer falls short of complete fitness, the team india might grant Tilak Verma an opportunity in the middle order for team india.
Recent matches have seen Tilak Verma exhibit aggressive batting during the T20 series of the West Indies tour, earning him support from some former cricketers advocating for his inclusion in the middle order.
However, Captain Rohit Sharma has already indicated that since Yuvraj Singh’s retirement, India has struggled to identify a solid fourth-order batsman. Should Shreyas Iyer remain unfit, Tilak might just get his chance.
Meanwhile, the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson from the ODI team appears to be on the cards. With the exception of a lone match in the recent West Indies tour, Samson’s performances have been middling at best, failing to capitalize on the opportunities presented.
Lingering concerns about the Indian team’s fitness and questions about their fielding prowess have persisted for some time. As the next couple of months carry tremendous significance, special emphasis is now being placed on fitness training.
