Virat Kohli has once again become the talking point in Indian cricket. A report has suggested that the former India captain cleared his pre-season fitness test not in Bengaluru, where his teammates were tested, but in London.
With Kohli living in the UK during the off-season, this arrangement has now created a new round of debate about whether he was given special treatment by the BCCI.
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Kohli took his fitness test in London and not in Bengaluru
According to reports, while Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav and the rest of the squad underwent their mandatory fitness assessments at the National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on September 1, Kohli did his in London.
The routine included the usual Yo-Yo test along with a DXA scan, which checks bone density. It is believed that Kohli had asked the BCCI for permission beforehand, and the board approved his request.
The reasoning behind it was simple that Kohli has been staying in London with his family during the off-season, so travelling back just for the test would have meant a 20-hour round trip.
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Is this really a case of preferential treatment?
This is where the debate has started. Some fans on social media feel Kohli was given an extra privilege that others might not have been allowed.
But another section of fans jumped to Kohli’s defence, saying the player was not at fault.
Even a BCCI official, quoted in a Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, admitted that he wasn’t sure if such flexibility was ever offered to other players in the past.
This has only added more fuel to the argument about equal treatment within the team.
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What has Kohli been doing in London?
While away from India, Kohli has not stayed idle. He began training indoors last month and was seen batting with Naeem Amin, the Gujarat Titans assistant coach, in London.
He was also spotted at Yuvraj Singh’s charity event during the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy between India and England earlier this year, though he kept away from the actual matches.
Kohli and Rohit Sharma are now set to return in October when India tours Australia for three ODIs followed by five T20Is.
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This will mark their comeback to the Indian team after both stepped back from Tests earlier this year. Interestingly, photos from Bengaluru showed Rohit looking sharp and lean, as he trained under former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.
With both senior stars preparing for their limited-overs return, the London fitness episode has left fans asking one question, were the rules bent for Kohli, or was it just a practical decision allowed by the board?