In the wake of disappointing performances in Test cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking measures to address fitness and performance issues within the national team. Reports indicate the board plans to reintroduce the yo-yo test as a mandatory fitness benchmark for selection.
The decision comes after the Indian cricket team suffered a whitewash at home against New Zealand and a historic series loss to Australia, relinquishing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in nearly a decade. The defeats have raised questions about player fitness and mental focus amid a packed international calendar.
A source told the Times of India that the relaxation of fitness standards in recent years has led to complacency among some players. “The board had gone lenient on the players since they are mostly on the road. The focus had shifted to just injury prevention. This has been taken lightly by some players. It is being mooted that a certain fitness level criteria needs to be reintroduced so that complacency doesn’t creep in,” the source said.
The yo-yo test, previously implemented during Virat Kohli’s captaincy, had been an effective tool for maintaining high fitness standards. It requires players to achieve a minimum score in a rigorous shuttle run test, ensuring that only the fittest players make the squad. Its proposed reintroduction shows the importance of fitness as a critical component of selection.
With the Indian team’s packed schedule leaving little room for rest or recovery, the BCCI’s medical team is emphasizing the need to balance injury prevention with maintaining fitness standards. Striking this balance is seen as crucial to improving on-field performance and reducing long-term injury risks.
In addition to fitness reforms, the BCCI is reportedly re-evaluating policies allowing players’ families to accompany them on international tours. Officials believe that family presence during overseas matches could be contributing to distractions and affecting overall team performance.
While no official changes have been announced, these measures reflect the board’s proactive approach to addressing underlying issues and ensuring the team remains competitive at the highest level.
As India gears up for upcoming tournaments, the focus on fitness and discipline is expected to play a pivotal role in restoring the team’s dominance in the longer format of the game. Whether these measures will yield the desired results remains to be seen, but they signal the BCCI’s intent to make fitness and performance inseparable pillars of Indian cricket.
