Gambhir, Yuvraj clear fitness test, add to Indian cricket team's selection dilemma

Veteran opener Gautam Gambhir and senior middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh on Tuesday appeared for a fitness test at the NCA as a part of Indian Cricket Board's plan to keep a bunch of cricketers ready keeping in mind the long home season ahead.

It had been reliably learnt that both Gambhir and Yuvraj have passed the fitness test. Along with Gambhir and Yuvraj, pacer Barinder Sran and Jaspreet Bumrah have also appeared for fitness tests. Yuvraj, Bumrah and Sran are in contention for a place in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

There were some speculations that Gambhir may be called as a replacement for KL Rahul, who sustained a hamstring injury during the just-concluded first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur. However, till late evening BCCI has not made any announcement in this regard.

In case Rahul is unavailable due to fitness reasons, another specialist opener, Shikhar Dhawan is already present in the squad. However, Gambhir's impressive show in the recent Duleep Trophy, where he scored four back-to-back half-centuries including two 90 plus scores, has again somewhat brought him back in focus.