The BCCI, concerned about the recurring injury problem among Team India players, has now taken action. To address this, the medical team at the Bengaluru-based Centre of Excellence (CoE) is working to improve its fitness program. According to a Times of India report, the Centre of Excellence is now working to standardize its base fitness parameters. The declining fitness levels of the players are being cited as the main reason behind this.
New strength and conditioning coach changes fitness testing drills
Last year, Adrian Leroux, who replaced Soham Desai as Team India’s strength and conditioning coach, made changes to its fitness testing drills. According to reports, the BCCI’s medical team was struggling to coordinate player fitness assessments. Following Leroux’s arrival, it was decided to replace the Yo-Yo test with the Bronco test, the primary method of fitness testing.
This change happened in the Bronco test
Previously, there were no set base parameters for the Bronco Test. According to reports, after struggling with injuries during the UK tour, the BCCI medical team has now set a base time of 5:15 to 5:20 minutes for completing the various drills of the Bronco Test, based on which players will now be selected.
Previously, the BCCI had set a standard of 16.5 to pass the basic Yo-Yo test, while the standard time for completing the 2K test, also known as a 2-kilometer run, was 9 to 10 minutes.
Now this fraud in fitness will not work!
Indian players were not accustomed to the Bronco Test. Therefore, the CoE set different parameters for each player to pass it. Citing BCCI sources, TOI reported that senior players were given very easy targets to pass the test. CoE staff would declare players like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy fit based on the team management’s requirements.
According to the report, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia has reprimanded physio Kamlesh Jain regarding this and has asked him not to worry about the height and physique of the players.