India’s centrally contracted players undergo mandatory fitness tests at Bengaluru 48 hours after Sri Lanka Tests

India's centrally contracted cricketers gathered at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Saturday to complete mandatory pre-season fitness tests, 48 hours after the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka concluded. Several Test squad members who spent three intense days on the field in Sri Lanka reported for the assessments as preparations ramp up for a busy domestic and international programme.

Senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal were among those who attended the session. T20I captain Shreyas Iyer also took part, accompanied by Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson and Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Team India (@indiancricketteam) shared a post from the Centre of Excellence. The players are working ahead of a packed eight-month schedule that will lead into the 2027 Indian Premier League.

The fitness protocol at the session included the Bronco Test, a 2km run and the Yo-Yo test, alongside cricket-specific drills such as running between the wickets. These assessments formed the core of the day’s work for the group present at Bengaluru.

Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy have not yet completed the tests as they continue rehabilitation and will undergo them once cleared to return to full fitness. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were given time off from the drills following heavy workloads in the consecutive Tests against Sri Lanka.

There was positive injury news for Prince Yadav, who has recovered from the hamstring issue he suffered during India's tour of the UK and is available for selection again. His return to full fitness was confirmed at the session.

India's home season is set to begin in September with a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi that has been described as an away assignment on home soil. After that, India's first-choice T20I squad will travel to Japan for the Asian Games while a separate group of white-ball specialists faces the West Indies at home concurrently.

The domestic calendar also includes an India A series against Australia A in Puducherry, scheduled from the final week of September until the second week of October. This India A fixture is the next confirmed series on the domestic schedule.