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India's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup have already begun, but the focus has shifted beyond performances to player fitness and injury management. Following an injury-ridden tour of England, where several players either broke down or played through fitness concerns, the BCCI has intensified its emphasis on workload management and rehabilitation. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has become the hub of these efforts, with multiple centrally contracted players currently undergoing customised training and recovery programmes.

However, the CoE itself is now under the scanner. Sources indicate that the upcoming BCCI review meeting, which was initially expected to focus primarily on India's underwhelming performances during the UK and Ireland tour, will now also discuss the growing number of injuries within the national setup. The Board is expected to review why several players have suffered fresh injuries or recurrences shortly after being declared fit by the CoE. Rehabilitation timelines, workload monitoring, strength and conditioning programmes, and return-to-play protocols are all likely to come under scrutiny as India looks to build a stronger fitness ecosystem ahead of the next World Cup cycle.

Hardik's Long-Term Fitness Mission -
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Hardik has temporarily shifted his base to Bengaluru and is undergoing one of the most intensive fitness programmes of his career.

Unlike traditional rehabilitation, his current schedule is designed to prepare him physically for the workload expected over the next 18 months.
According to reports, Hardik trains for nearly three to four hours every evening after most players leave the Centre of Excellence, allowing him uninterrupted sessions focused entirely on performance development.
The bowling workload is the biggest highlight.

Instead of bowling only four or five overs during practice, Hardik is consistently bowling close to 12 overs every bowling day, spread across multiple spells. Several spells include five or six overs continuously to replicate long match situations and improve bowling endurance.

The idea is simple—if Hardik is expected to deliver his full quota regularly in ODI cricket until the 2027 World Cup, his body has to adapt months before the tournament rather than weeks before it.

His batting preparation has also taken an unconventional turn.

Hardik has been practising extensively with plastic balls on concrete and tiled surfaces, particularly against short-pitched bowling. These drills reduce reaction time because the plastic ball skids sharply off hard surfaces, forcing quicker decision-making and improved back-foot play.

The objective is to sharpen:
Reflexes
Hand-eye coordination
Reaction time
Pull and hook execution
Decision-making against high pace

His daily routine reportedly includes mobility work, stretching, taping, gym sessions, specialist throwdowns and open-net batting against local bowlers before finishing with recovery work. He has even rented accommodation near the CoE to maintain consistency throughout this training block.

Bumrah Nearing Return-
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There is positive news on Jasprit Bumrah's recovery. The fast bowler is progressing well from his knee injury and is expected to be fit before the first Test against Sri Lanka. With the squad set to be announced later this week, Bumrah will undergo a final fitness assessment at the Centre of Excellence. Barring any last-minute setback, he is likely to receive clearance and return for the series opener, providing a major boost to India's pace attack.

Nitish Kumar Reddy Racing Against Time-
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Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence after his recent injury setback. While his recovery has progressed steadily, he is expected to miss the opening Test against Sri Lanka.

Medical staff believe Nitish requires approximately another 15 to 20 days before regaining full match fitness. If rehabilitation continues without setbacks, he could become available for the second Test. However, there also remains a possibility that the management decides against rushing him back, meaning he could miss the entire series.

Nitish's rehabilitation is following a structured Return-to-Play (RTP) protocol. Instead of clearing players simply because they are pain-free, the CoE evaluates sprint speed, agility, strength, repeated high-intensity running and cricket-specific activities such as batting, bowling and fielding under match conditions. The medical team also monitors how the body responds during the 24 to 48 hours after each high-load session before progressing to the next phase. Given Nitish's importance as a pace-bowling all-rounder, the BCCI is expected to prioritise long-term fitness over a hurried comeback.

His uncertain availability has also created a selection headache. With the squad expected to be announced later this week, selectors must decide whether to back an all-rounder who could become available midway through the series or opt for a fully fit specialist batter or bowler instead.

Washington Sundar's Recovery Continues-
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Washington Sundar remains another important fitness concern for the Indian team. The off-spinning all-rounder is unlikely to regain full fitness before the start of the Sri Lanka series and continues to undergo rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence.

Even in the best-case scenario, he is expected to undergo another round of fitness assessments closer to the second Test. Only after successfully clearing those evaluations will the medical team consider him available for selection. At present, his participation in the series remains uncertain, and the BCCI is expected to prioritise complete recovery rather than an early return.

Replacement Options Under Consideration-
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With Washington's availability in doubt, Saransh Jain has emerged as the leading candidate to fill the vacancy as India's off-spinning option. His domestic performances, consistency and all-round ability have placed him firmly in contention.

Another player on the selectors' radar is Haryana off-spinner Nikhil Kashyap, whose performances in domestic cricket have impressed the selection panel. If India opt for a specialist off-spinner instead of another all-rounder, Kashyap could receive his maiden call-up.

A Crucial Review for Indian Cricket-
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As the news broken by us few days back the upcoming BCCI review meeting is expected to be significant not only because of India's performances in the UK and Ireland but also because of the growing concerns surrounding player fitness. Hardik Pandya's customised training programme represents the proactive approach India wants to adopt, while the recoveries of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar highlight the challenges of balancing immediate selection needs with long-term player welfare.

At the same time, the Centre of Excellence will face its own test as officials assess whether current rehabilitation and workload management systems are adequate or require changes following repeated injury recurrences. As India prepares for the Sri Lanka series and begins its journey towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, building a reliable, science-driven fitness structure may prove just as important as selecting the right playing XI.