India pacer Ashish Nehra has been asked to report at the National Cricket Academy (N.C.A.) in Bengaluru to undergo a fitness test ahead of the upcoming England series, as the most experienced member of the T20I squad hasn’t played any sort of recognised cricket from past eight months.

Nehra wasn’t a part of the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad and was also not included for the West Indies and Zimbabwe T20Is last year due to injury. Hence, the board is keen to know about his fitness level as he underwent a knee surgery in May, during Indian Premier League (IPL). The board wants to be fully assured regarding his fitness ahead of the T20I series that starts from January 26.

It has also been learnt that the BCCI has asked Nehra to play Vijay Hazare Trophy as well in a bid to prove his case for the Champions Trophy 2017. Nehra is not just a senior bowler but also the most experienced player in the Indian circuit currently. His presence in the squad during the ICC tournament will be of great help for Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, who in all likelihood, are expected to lead the Indian bowling attack in the tournament.

It should also be noted that Nehra has been a regular absentee in domestic cricket as his last appearance in a four-day game came three years back against Karnataka. He just played one Vijay Hazare Trophy game and two Syed Mushtaq Ali games last year. This is the reason why the BCCI has asked Nehra to participate in domestic cricket to be open for selection in the ODI squad as well.

Ashish Nehra is also a member of the India A squad for the first game against England to be played at the CCI ground in Mumbai.