The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing questions after a special exemption was reportedly granted to senior batter Virat Kohli, allowing him to complete his mandatory fitness test in London. This move stands in stark contrast to the rest of the national squad, who underwent their assessments at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru last week. This exception has the potential to spark debate, raising questions about protocol and fairness.
According to a report by Dainik Jagran, Kohli, who is currently in England with his family, received permission from the BCCI to undergo his fitness test under supervision there. This decision has raised some eyebrows, as a uniform protocol is typically expected for all players. The fitness assessments are a crucial part of preparation for a busy international schedule, including the upcoming ODI series in Australia. While the reports of players who completed the tests in Bengaluru, including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shubman Gill, have been submitted, Kohli's London-based results have been included as well.
A senior BCCI official did not directly comment on the deviation from the standard procedure but did confirm that Kohli “would have taken prior approval” for conducting the test overseas. While Kohli successfully passed his test, this allowance has sparked a quiet discussion within the cricket community. The incident raises a key question for the BCCI: could similar exemptions be extended to other players in the future, particularly those who may have personal commitments or are recovering from injuries abroad?
The first phase of fitness testing focused on baseline strength and recovery patterns. Along with established players like Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, and Sanju Samson, emerging talents such as Rinku Singh and Ruturaj Gaikwad also participated. A few players, however, only completed partial evaluations due to ongoing conditioning and workload management. A second phase of testing is scheduled for September for players in rehab or in a "return-to-play" stage, including KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant.
With player workload and injury management becoming a more pressing issue, the BCCI has adopted stricter fitness protocols, making mandatory clearances a norm before major tournaments. While the permission granted to Kohli might be a one-off case, it sets a precedent that could be scrutinized in the future. The incident brings to light a broader question for the board: should geographic flexibility for fitness testing become a standardized policy or remain a privilege reserved for exceptional circumstances?
