Indian players to go through tough test before South Africa series – Reports

Ahead of the five-match T20I series against South Africa, the Indian players will reportedly go through a tough fitness test. Currently, the players are playing well in the Indian T20 League 2022. However, after the tournament, they will head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The players will have to prove their fitness before June 5.

The series is set to start on June 9 in Delhi. Meanwhile, a BCCI official has said that it is important for players to assemble at the NCA as a lot of them are carrying niggles. The official also pointed out the injury to Harshal Patel, who is currently having stitches on his bowling hand. Currently, in a video uploaded by the Bangalore franchise on YouTube, Patel said that he is recovering from the injury and might play the eliminator.

“All players for South Africa series will have to assemble for a fitness camp at NCA. It’s important as many of them are carrying niggles. Harshal still has stitches and we want to make sure everything is fine,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.

On the other hand, there is uncertainty around whether Rahul Dravid will stay with the second-string team, or will fly with the England-bound players. Earlier reports suggested that VVS Laxman will be appointed as the head coach for South Africa and Ireland series. However, the latest reports say that Dravid wants to oversee everything before flying to England.

“Rahul wants to be available for the South Africa series. The idea was that he would be travelling with the England squad with Laxman taking charge of the South Africa series. But Rahul wants to oversee everything before flying out to England. We still have a few days and the itinerary should be clear in the next few days,” the BCCI official said.

The England-bound players will play a warm-up match before the Test match, which will begin on July 2 in Birmingham. After this, the team will play the limited-overs games.