Ashok Dinda’s fitness is a concern for Bengal ahead of their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign.

The senior pro is still Bengal’s prime and go-to bowler and the team management wants the pacer to be fully fit when the Ranji Trophy begins.

Due to his knee injury, Dinda struggled to play even in Bengal’s preparatory tournament in Jaipur.

“Dinda is probably one of the best players to have ever played for Bengal,” Bengal coach-cum-mentor Arun Lal told The Telegraph on Thursday.

“Even now in terms of skill, determination and will, he is special. But fitness-wise, I don’t know whether he is at 100 per cent.

“He is such a supreme talent that you want to keep him fully fit for the Ranji Trophy. He has got a lot of skill and experience.

“Ideally, he should be saved, preserved and kept in cotton wool for the Ranji Trophy,” Lal added.

It won’t be surprising if Dinda is rested for some of the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches. “There is concern over his fitness. But it’s he who has to decide (if he wants to skip some of the matches)… Depends on his fitness… We don’t want to wear him out before the Ranji Trophy,” Lal said.