English
English
English
The BCCI has introduced the Bronco Test, a 1200-meter shuttle run in 6 minutes, to assess player stamina. Aimed at improving endurance, it is now mandatory for selection, especially for bowlers. However the board has not cleared whether it will continue its Yo Yo test for fitness qualification or continue with Bronco test, but it is ostensibly clear that the players has to undergo more stringent test as Yo YO test will no longer be benchmark for thier agility and endurance.
BCCI Introduces Rugby Inspired Fitness Standard for Indian Fast Bowlers
New Delhi: Before Asia Cup 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a new and stringent fitness rule called the 'Bronco Test.' This test will now be a mandatory condition for selection of players in Team India, especially for bowlers. The main idea is that the fitness and stamina level of the players should be very high to suit the demands of international cricket.
What is the Bronco Test?
This is a physical endurance test adopted from sports like rugby. In this, a player has to run a total distance of 1200 meters, which is divided into five sets. In each set, the player has to complete a shuttle run (running back and forth) of first 20 meters, then 40 meters, and then 60 meters.
All this has to be done without stopping within 6 minutes. This determines the player's aerobic capacity, running power, and ability to stay on the field for a long time. The main reason for implementing this test is a worrying lack of endurance shown by Indian bowlers in recent tours.
Why was it needed?
It has been observed that our bowlers are feeling tired while bowling long spells. In Test matches, where bowling has to be done for a long time, the lack of stamina reduces the speed and accuracy of the bowlers, which causes harm to the team. On the recent England tour, most of the bowlers, like Jasprit Bumrah, apart from Mohammed Siraj, were unable to bowl consistently.
To find a solution to this problem, Team India's strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux recommended this test, which also got full support from the new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Le Roux believes that fast bowlers should focus more on running instead of sweating it out in the gym so that their endurance increases.
Agility of the bowlers will be tested
In short, this tough move by the BCCI is to ensure that Indian players, especially bowlers, are fully prepared physically and mentally to play against the fittest teams in the world. Now without passing this test, no player will be able to find a place in Team India.
However the board has not cleared whether it will continue its Yo Yo test for fitness qualification or continue with Bronco test, but it is ostensibly clear that the players has to undergo more stringent test as Yo YO test will no longer be benchmark for thier agility and endurance.
