In a huge confidence boost ahead of the upcoming season, Virat Kohli cleared his Yo-Yo test in London with an outstanding score of 21.6. According to reports, officials from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) were present during the test, where Kohli not only passed comfortably but also surpassed his previous personal best. The result once again highlights his unmatched dedication to fitness and comes as a positive step in his journey back to international cricket.
While Kohli underwent his assessment in London, several of his teammates, including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Mohammed Siraj, reportedly completed their tests in Bengaluru. A report by Dainik Jagran confirmed that Kohli’s session was conducted under proper sanctioned supervision, ensuring it carried the same legitimacy as those carried out at home.
Most of India’s core group of players have already gone through their fitness tests, though a few remain pending due to injury concerns or scheduling issues. Members of the T20I squad are expected to travel to the United Arab Emirates soon for the Asia Cup 2025. However, Kohli will not be part of the squad since he has already stepped away from T20 cricket, with the tournament being played in the shortest format this year.
The testing phase has involved a combination of Yo-Yo assessments and strength evaluations. High-profile names such as Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant are among those yet to complete their assessments later this month. A second phase of testing is also on the horizon, with players like KL Rahul, Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jadeja, and Pant all slated to undergo checks.
Interestingly, Kohli was the only player to have his fitness test conducted outside India. No other cricketer has requested such an exemption so far. When asked, a BCCI official stated that Kohli must have taken prior approval to undergo his test in London. It remains uncertain whether similar allowances will be granted to others in the future. With India’s growing injury list, the BCCI has grown stricter about player fitness, making it mandatory for every cricketer to clear these assessments before being considered for selection.