The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed several key national stars to report to the Centre of Excellence at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru immediately following the Sri Lanka tour. The decision comes as Indian team management turns its attention toward workload management and vital red-ball preparations ahead of a crucial upcoming international calendar.
Key Highlights
- Senior Indian players instructed to assemble in Bengaluru following the white-ball series in Sri Lanka.
- Focus placed on comprehensive fitness evaluations, injury management, and conditioning.
- Strategic preparation for upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
- Potential participation of marquee players in domestic fixtures such as the Duleep Trophy.
With an intensive red-ball schedule approaching—including home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, followed by the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia—the BCCI and national selectors are adopting a proactive approach. Assembling the players in Bengaluru allows the NCA medical and fitness personnel to run complete physical assessments and monitor fatigue levels after back-to-back assignments.
In addition to fitness routines, reports indicate that the selection committee is keen on giving core Test players match practice in long-format cricket. Several top stars could be asked to feature in the opening rounds of the domestic Duleep Trophy to acclimatize to red-ball conditions. By centering these activities in Bengaluru, the BCCI aims to keep India’s main squad in peak physical condition and fully prepared for World Test Championship qualification points.