Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has claimed that the BCCI’s decision to introduce the rugby-style Bronco test for Team India is an attempt to keep players like Rohit Sharma out of the side.

The Bronco test, as reported by the Indian Express, has been introduced by the BCCI as it is keen to maintain a high level of fitness among the players of the Indian cricket team. Adrian le Roux, the strength and conditioning coach for the Indian squad, reportedly suggested it because he wants the pacers to run more miles.

The Bronco Test involves multiple shuttle runs of 20 meters, 40 meters, and 60 meters. The players must complete them within a stipulated time.

According to former India batter Manoj Tiwary, the Bronco Test will make things harder for the ODI captain Rohit Sharma, especially since he, along with Virat Kohli, wants to compete in the 2027 World Cup.

The Bronco Test may have been instituted solely to exclude Rohit from the 2027 ODI World Cup, according to Tiwary.

"I think it will be very difficult to keep Virat Kohli out of the plans for the 2027 World Cup. But I doubt that they are going to look at Rohit Sharma in the scheme of things because... See, I'm a very keen observer of what's going on in Indian cricket. And I believe this Bronco Test, which was introduced a few days back, is for players like Rohit Sharma and someone who I believe they don't want to be a part of the team in the future. And that's why it has been introduced," said Tiwary to CricTracker.

"You know, the Bronco Test will be one of the toughest fitness test parameters that has been introduced by Indian cricket. But the only question is, why now? Why not when your new head coach got the assignment from the very first series? Whose idea is it? Who introduced this? Who enforced this Bronco Test a few days back? So, it is a question for which I don't have an answer, but the observation says that it is going to be difficult for Rohit Sharma if he doesn't work really hard on his fitness. And I think he will be stopped at the Bronco Test," he added.

The report also stated that head coach Gautam Gambhir agreed with Adrian Le Roux regarding the fitness test introduction.