Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah Clear Fitness Tests Ahead Of Asia Cup; DXA Scans Used Alongside Yo-Yo

Good news for Indian fans ahead of the Asia Cup in the UAE: Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah have cleared the BCCI’s pre-season fitness tests at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Gill, India’s Test captain and T20I vice-captain for the Asia Cup, had to miss the Duleep Trophy due to fever last week, so a fitness clearance was mandatory before he joined the squad in Dubai. Bumrah, set to lead the pace attack, also passed comfortably. Along with the standard Yo-Yo test, players underwent DXA (DEXA) scans to assess bone density and body composition.

Among others who ticked off the CoE protocols without alarm were Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, and Jitesh Sharma. Jaiswal and Washington remain among the standbys for the tournament. Several Asia Cup-bound players, including Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav, were in action in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals and did not require a separate test at this time. Standby wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel skipped the Duleep quarterfinal with a groin niggle and continues to be monitored by the medical team.

Rohit Sharma also went through the assessments at the CoE as he builds up for India’s ODI assignments later this year, including a proposed ODI series in Australia in November. There is chatter that Rohit may turn out for India A versus Australia A in three one-dayers at Kanpur (September 30, October 3 and 5) as part of his match-prep block.

With Gill cleared after his brief illness, India’s leadership group for the Asia Cup looks settled. The squad is assembling in Dubai on September 4 for their first nets on September 5 at the ICC Academy, with the tournament opener for India set for September 10.