Following a successful return to action in the Ranji Trophy, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to join the India squad in Nagpur this week, ahead of the first Test against Australia on February 9.
Jadeja bowled 41.1 overs and took seven wickets in the second innings for Saurashtra in their final group-stage match against Tamil Nadu last week in Chennai. It was his first match since having right knee surgery in September.
After that performance, the 34-year-old all-rounder, who was selected in India's Test squad subject to passing fitness tests, said he was hopeful and "good to go" for the Australia series.
One of the BCCI's physios accompanied Jadeja to closely monitor his fitness. According to ESPNcricinfo, the cricketer has returned to the NCA to complete his final round of fitness tests.
The one-off Test against England in Birmingham in July 2022 was Jadeja's last Test match. He felt pain in his right knee, which had been bothering him for years, while playing in the Asia Cup in late August, and was later ruled out of the T20 World Cup as well.
Meanwhile, India batter Shreyas Iyer is still awaiting a fitness clearance at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru as he recovers from a stiff back.
Iyer, who missed the recent ODI series against New Zealand due to a stiff back, will have to spend a little more time at the NCA before receiving fitness clearance. The batter was recently given an injection at the NCA to help with swelling in his lower back, according to reports.
If he receives his clearance, Iyer will be a strong contender for a middle-order spot against Australia. In his absence, the other candidates are Suryakumar Yadav, who has yet to make his Test debut, and possibly Shubman Gill if India starts with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.
Iyer is said to be optimistic and on track to be declared fit, but the BCCI's medical staff wants to make sure the cricekter has no back pain before allowing him to travel to Nagpur and join India's preparatory camp, which begins on February 2.