In a bid to ensure that the top Indian cricketers adhere to the highest standards of fitness and improve their aerobic capacity, the BCCI has decided to introduce the rugby-centric Bronco Test, which involves multiple shuttle runs of 20 meters, 40 meters, and 60 meters.
As per the Indian Express report, Adrian le Roux, the strength and conditioning coach for the Indian squad, made the suggestion. He also wants the fast bowlers to run more miles rather than focus only on the gym. Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, is also in agreement.
This apparently comes after the fitness standards of a couple of bowlers were found not to be up to scratch, with only Mohammed Siraj playing all five tests.
One set of the Bronco Test consists of a player running a 20-meter shuttle run, a 40-meter one, and a 60-meter one. Five sets totalling 1,200 meters must be completed by the player without a pause. The Indian players have been given six minutes to finish the Bronco Test.
At the Centre of Excellence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Bengaluru, a few of the best players have already taken the Bronco Test. For elite cricket players, the BCCI already uses a 2-kilometer time trial and the Yo-Yo Test as fitness testing.
“The Bronco Test has been introduced at the Centre of Excellence. Some of India’s contracted players have travelled to Bengaluru and have taken the test. The Bronco Test is being used to ensure there are clear fitness standards. Also, it was noticed that Indian cricketers, more so the fast bowlers, were not running enough and were spending too much time in the gym. Players have been told that they will have to do more running,” a source said.
The standard time for fast bowlers in the 2-kilometer time trial was 8 minutes and 15 seconds. It was eight minutes and thirty seconds for spinners, wicketkeepers, and batters.
Running at increasing speeds between markers spaced 20 meters apart, with a 10-second pause in between each 40-meter run, is the Yo-Yo Test. For the Indian team, a minimum Yo-Yo level of 17.1 was established.
Le Roux joined the Indian team in June and held the same position in 2002-03. He has also worked with the South Africa and Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings IPL teams.
(Indian Express report)
