With mounting speculation surrounding the fitness of senior Indian stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has stepped in to clarify the situation. According to Agarkar, both players have completed their required fitness assessments, though the specifics remain with strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux and his team.
The spotlight on their physical readiness comes as both veterans aim to secure their places in India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup. “I think they have both done their fitness tests or the fitness norms that have been suggested,” Agarkar confirmed, adding that the selectors had received assurance that both players met the required standards.
Kohli’s London Test Sparks Debate
Earlier this year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made fitness tests mandatory for all centrally contracted players at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. Prominent names like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj were all spotted undergoing Yo-Yo and other assessments. However, Kohli’s absence from the sessions raised eyebrows.
Days later, reports surfaced — notably from Dainik Jagran — claiming that Kohli had obtained BCCI approval to complete his test in London, with the results subsequently sent to the COE. This revelation triggered a wave of social media criticism, with many questioning whether the star batter had been granted preferential treatment by the board.
Agarkar Clarifies Selection Process
During a press conference held shortly after the Indian squad announcement, Agarkar addressed the controversy head-on. He reiterated that all selected players, including Kohli and Rohit, had been declared fit by the COE before the selection meeting. “So, I have not 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 has been picked has been declared fit and available,” he explained.
Agarkar’s clarification aims to put an end to speculation and reassure fans that selection decisions are based on objective fitness standards rather than favoritism. With the 2027 World Cup approaching, the assurance that senior players are meeting fitness norms is crucial to India’s long-term strategy.
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