Virat Kohli has retired from Tests and T20Is, but the fire is still burning. The former India captain is looking to give his all in ODIs as he looks to go out on a high by winning the World Cup in 2027, which will be played in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Recently, the 36-year-old was caught in the middle of a huge storm after a Dainik Jagran report claimed that Virat Kohli‘s fitness test was conducted in London while the rest of the centrally-contracted players travelled to Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence for the same.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was criticised for giving special privileges to Kohli and questioned for having different strokes for different folks. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, and Mohammed Siraj all travelled to Bengaluru for their yo-yo tests.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Tests earlier this year while he bid adieu to T20Is last year after winning the World Cup. It is safe to say that Kohli is still one of the best batters in ODIs, and his brilliance was on show during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which Rohit Sharma’s India won by defeating New Zealand in the final.
Virat Kohli completes the BCCI imposed fitness test in UK.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill recently completed the required pre-season fitness evaluation at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. But Virat Kohli, arguably the most well-known figure in Indian cricket, was not there and report emerged of him taking the fitness test in London. Virat Kohli or the BCCI are yet to make any official statement confirming the same.
Every contracted player is required by the rules to pass the fitness test. However, it is unclear if players must be present at the CoE for it. All of them took the test in Bengaluru and perhaps Virat Kohli was the first to do it outside. And if true, it might be a game-changer, according to former India opener Aakash Chopra.
Former India batter Aakash Chopra shared his views on Virat Kohli’s controversial fitness Test, ahead of his potential return to the ODI team next month. According to a report in Dainik Jagran, Virat Kohli was the sole India player not present at BCCI’s Centre of Excellent (CoE) for the Test, as he was examined in London. Speaking in a video posted by Crex, Chopra suggested while there is no confirmation whether Virat Kohli gave his fitness Test in London, it really shouldn’t bother others even if he did.
Aakash Chopra makes a huge claim on Virat Kohli’s controversial fitness test ahead of 2025-26 season
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has said that there is no clarification as to whether ace batter Virat Kohli underwent his fitness test in London, whereas the others travelled down to Bengaluru for the same, adding that even if the reports are true, no one needs to be bothered by it. Virat Kohli, now retired from T20Is and Tests, remains available for ODIs and might feature in the upcoming series in Australia in October.
According to a Dainik Jagran report, a senior BCCI official didn’t comment on the deviation from standard procedure but confirmed that Kohli “would have taken prior approval” to undergo the test overseas.
“These are just speculations and reports at this point. There is no confirmation or clarification that Virat Kohli gave his fitness Test in London and others gave it in Bengaluru. Of course, he wasn’t here, but we haven’t seen pictures of him giving it in London,” Chopra said while speaking on CREX.
“But even if he has, let us assume he did, how does it matter?” the former cricketer questioned.
Chopra said that it could be an example for the future, where other players could take the fitness test from wherever they are as well.
“Honestly, he just set the precedent that the next time, if anyone is anywhere else, they can give the fitness Test from there. If someone does this once, then you draw a line in the sand that this is the rule,” Chopra said.
“It may not be necessary in that rule for everyone to go to Bengaluru. If someone is available anywhere, let them do the Test there. If there is even some truth in this, then it is a new normal,” Chopra added.
The senior Indian men’s team headed to Dubai after the cricketers completed the test. The board didn’t provide any official update on the fitness reports of any cricketer.
Virat Kohli’s next international assignment is the three-match ODI series against Australia but the right-hander might well make a trip to India before to participate in the India A series versus Australia A.
India are scheduled to play at least 27 ODIs between now and the 2027 World Cup, which could provide ample opportunities for both seniors to prove their readiness. However, any prolonged absence or loss of form could break the continuity required to compete at the highest level. By the time of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kohli will be 39 and Rohit 40. Age, however, may not be the biggest hurdle — instead, it’s the lack of consistent international cricket. The IPL offers match sharpness, but it may not fully replicate the rhythm of 50-over cricket.
Still, with their unmatched records, elite fitness routines, and mental fortitude, writing off Kohli and Rohit would be premature. If they can remain engaged with ODI cricket, avoid long breaks, and maintain form, there’s every chance the Indian team management will want them in South Africa in 2027.
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