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New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India‘s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru is buzzing with activity, and the facility is bracing for a heavy influx of contracted and targeted players in the coming week.TimesofIndia.com has learnt that nearly a dozen Indian cricketers are likely to be at the facility by the end of this week for different reasons. While players like Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana and Akash Deep are already there, they will be joined by Washington Sundar and a few others.It is understood that the Test hopefuls have been asked to report for fitness assessments ahead of next month’s tour of Sri Lanka. Mohammed Siraj is expected to reach the facility this week and could be joined by Ravindra Jadeja. Targeted players like Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan and Abhishek Porel have already undergone their evaluations, and the CoE staff expects many more in the next few days before the players turn out for their respective zonal teams in the Duleep Trophy.“Hardik has been there training, Reddy is recovering, and Varun and Harshit are undergoing their rehabilitation. The team management doesn’t want to take any chances with regard to its players ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series. Thorough assessments will be carried out, and the selectors will be informed about their status before the team is picked for the two Tests. The CoE has a fair idea of the targeted players after the red-ball tournament in Bengaluru,” says a source tracking developments.“The domestic season starts next month, so even the targeted players need to be evaluated because there won’t be much time once the action gets underway,” adds the source.As this website reported on July 21, the Indian team is grappling with fitness issues in build-up to the 2027 World Cup. The last thing the management would want is more breakdowns before/during the crucial two Tests next month. Most contracted players are staring at a packed calendar featuring a mix of all formats, as well as the long tour of New Zealand, which includes five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.There are home series against the West Indies, the Asian Games and possibly a tour of Bangladesh preceding the marquee tour. The management wants a pool of ready players because there will be a need to keep different squads ready.
