The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified that Virat Kohli underwent his mandatory pre-series fitness test in London with prior approval, dispelling speculation around his absence from the team's assessment at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the matter during a press conference on Saturday, assuring that both Kohli and Rohit Sharma—who also completed their evaluations—met all required norms and are fully available for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia starting October 19. This confirmation comes amid heightened scrutiny of player workloads following a spate of injuries in recent seasons, including those to key pacers like Jasprit Bumrah.

Unlike the majority of the squad, including new ODI captain Shubman Gill and Rohit, who gathered at the CoE for standardised tests such as the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery and DXA bone density scans, Kohli requested and received special permission to conduct his evaluation abroad. Reports from early September indicated this was a one-off exception, supervised remotely by BCCI medical staff, as Kohli resides in the UK with his family during off-seasons. Agarkar emphasised the board's rigorous protocols, stating, "I think they've both done their fitness tests or the fitness norms that have been suggested... As far as I know or the selectors know, they've gone through the required norms that have been put in place." He added that the CoE routinely certifies players' status before squad announcements, and "everyone who's been picked has been declared fit and available," quashing concerns over potential rustiness after their break since the Champions Trophy in March.

The decision to allow Kohli's London-based test initially sparked debate in September, with fans and media questioning BCCI's equity in granting such flexibility—reportedly the first for an active international player. Social media erupted with divided opinions: some labelled it "special treatment" for the 36-year-old stalwart, while others defended it as pragmatic given his commitments and the board's approval process. A BCCI official, quoted in Dainik Jagran, confirmed Kohli sought permission in advance, aligning with the organisation's evolving approach to workload management amid a congested calendar. Agarkar reiterated that such accommodations are rare and tied to exceptional circumstances, underscoring the CoE's role as the primary hub for uniformity.

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Kohli and Rohit's inclusions in the 15-member ODI squad signal their pivotal return to the 50-over format, six months after India's Champions Trophy victory—Rohit's last assignment as captain. Agarkar remained non-committal on their long-term plans, noting, "That's the format they're at the moment playing... As far as the 2027 World Cup is concerned, I don't think we need to talk about it today." With the tour featuring three ODIs in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne, followed by five T20Is, the duo's fitness clearance paves the way for a blend of experience and youth under Gill's leadership. As India eyes momentum-building wins Down Under, this episode highlights the BCCI's balancing act between protocol enforcement and accommodating star players' needs in a high-stakes era.

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