Shubman Gill is on his way to Bengaluru to take a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). The India Test skipper and T20I vice-captain are believed to have arrived in Bengaluru on Friday, August 29, in the evening, ahead of the Asia Cup, for the obligatory evaluation that all players traveling to the tournament must complete.
Gill’s specific date for the fitness tests at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) facility is unknown, although it is likely to take place in the coming days. Gill is probably going to take a direct flight from Bengaluru to the United Arab Emirates for the Asia Cup.
Gill had to skip the current Duleep Trophy inter-zonal red-ball competition because he was lately ill and recuperating in Chandigarh. Following his recuperation, he spent a few days practicing in his hometown before taking a Friday flight to Bengaluru.
On September 4, the Indian squad will gather in Dubai. The players will fly separately from their respective bases and be in Dubai in time for the first practice, rather than departing all at once as is customary.
The first net session is said to have been set for September 5 by the team management. The ICC Academy in Dubai is most likely to host the nets, even if the exact location has not been announced. Earlier this year, during their triumphant Champions Trophy campaign, the Indian team trained at that very location.
The Indian team hasn’t had much experience in the Twenty20 format after just wrapping off a Test series in England. All other teams, with the exception of India, have begun preparations. In Sharjah, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates are participating in a tri-series.
Right now, Sri Lanka is playing in a bilateral series in Zimbabwe that consists of two ODIs and three T20Is. Recently, Bangladesh and Pakistan played a Twenty20 International series. The other two contending teams, Oman and Hong Kong, are reportedly already in the United Arab Emirates and playing friendly matches.
September 9 marks the commencement of the Asia Cup. September 10 is India’s first game against the United Arab Emirates.
