Team India undergoes fitness test, celebrates Ajinkya Rahane's birthday

Kolkata: It was a bit of hardwork followed by some celebrations as the Indian cricket team led by Virat Kohli underwent customary fitness tests after which Ajinkya Rahane's 27th birthday was celebrated on the first of the two-day camp, on Saturday.

Team India training in Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

Closely monitored by India team director Ravi Shastri, the 14-member squad led by Kohli took the beep test to assess the fitness levels as the camp went on for about two hours during the evening session.

Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Harbhajan Singh engage in a lighter moment during the training session. (Photo: PTI)

The Bangladesh-bound touring party has now been reduced to 14 because of KL Rahul being diagnosed with dengue. The squad assembled around 4.45pm as they headed straight to the ground and had a light drill session.

BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur celebrates Ajinkya Rahane's birthday in the presence of BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya, Test skipper Virat Kohli and Team Director Ravi Shastri. (Photo: Facebook)

From Harbhajan Singh, who is returning to the Tests after two years, fit-again Ishant Sharma to Kohli all took part in the multi-stage fitness test as they were made to run short-sprints of about 20 metres each.

Rahane gives a piece of his birthday cake to BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya. (Photo: Facebook)

Later they ran four laps of the ground before winding it up with the customary cake cutting ceremony of Rahane who turned 27 on the day.

Read: Ajinkya Rahane turns 27, the age of rock stars

"It's was a brief celebration and everyone was present," CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey, who was appointed as administrative manager for the Bangladesh tour, told reporters.

BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya, Test skipper Virat Kohli and BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur share a lighter moment. (Photo: Facebook)

The Kohli-led side will assemble here on Sunday afternoon for a full-fledged practice session ahead of their departure on Monday morning.