Team India / Now fitness test in team India is a joke, the truth is out before Asia Cup

Team India: Recently, prominent Indian cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah gave fitness tests at the Center of Excellence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). At the same time, according to reports, Virat Kohli completed his fitness test in London. All the players passed this test, but now a new report has raised questions on the credibility of these tests. It is being claimed that these tests were only for show, as neither its results were made public nor any information was given to the media.

Fitness Test: Mandatory earlier, now a joke?

In the era of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, the Yo-Yo test used to be an important criterion for player selection in Indian cricket. During that time, players who failed this test were shown the way out of the national team. However, according to recent reports, fitness tests have become a mere formality since the Shastri-Kohli era. These tests are no longer the basis for the selection of players, raising questions about their relevance.

A Times of India report quoted a source as saying, “There are people who have a heart for Indian cricket, but some influential voices have suppressed the discussion on the Yo-Yo and fitness tests. Earlier, the standards of the Yo-Yo test were made more stringent, but now it has become just a normal run. When the results have no impact, why should players take it seriously?”

Players' opinion: Do tests increase the risk of injury?

Many big players believe that tests like the Yo-Yo and Bronco increase the risk of injury. They want to manage their bodies better in other ways. This view further weakens the necessity of fitness tests. According to sources, “The 2 km run test has also become a mere ritual now. Earlier it was used to raise standards, but now it is just a routine process.”

Former coach reveals

Former India strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai also spoke openly on the issue. He said that the Yo-Yo test has never been a selection criterion since the 2019 World Cup. According to Desai, "We conduct Yo-Yo tests three times every year for contract players. But it is only a fitness assessment parameter. It gives us a general idea of ​​the fitness of the players, but it is not the basis for selection."

What is the way forward?

This controversy raises questions about the fitness culture and player selection process in Indian cricket. When fitness tests become a mere formality, can they motivate players to maintain a high level of fitness? The BCCI needs to bring transparency to the issue and make fitness tests effective again, so that the quality and competitiveness of Indian cricket remains intact.