BCCI Grants Special Permission to Virat Kohli for London Fitness Test, Raises Questions Over Preferential Treatment

Virat Kohli has become the only Indian cricketer to undergo his mandatory fitness assessment overseas, completing his test in London while the rest of the squad reported to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The former Test captain, currently residing in London with his family, received special permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for this unprecedented arrangement.

BCCI Under Scanner for Double Standards

The incident has sparked debate over whether other players would receive similar treatment if they were outside India for personal reasons. The decision raised eyebrows since the BCCI is typically strict about fitness protocols, with all other players required to complete their assessments at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

Test Details and Implications

The fitness tests focused on recovery patterns and basic strength assessments, which Kohli successfully cleared ahead of the upcoming Australia ODI series. Most of Kohli’s teammates, including ODI captain Rohit Sharma, completed their fitness evaluations at Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence, highlighting the exceptional nature of Kohli’s London arrangement and raising questions about consistency in BCCI’s player management policies.