BCCI Updates Fitness Policy: In response to the increasing injury burden among Indian cricket team players, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a significant step. The medical team at the Bengaluru-based Centre of Excellence (CoE) is now revising the players’ fitness program. The goal is to improve their fitness and prevent recurrent injuries.
According to media reports, the Center of Excellence is now working on uniform fitness rules for all players. This decision has been made following recent questions about the fitness of several players.
There were changes in the fitness test
Last year, Adrian Leroux replaced Soham Desai as the Indian team’s strength and conditioning coach. Following his arrival, the fitness testing process was revised. Previously, the Yo-Yo test was considered more important for assessing players’ fitness, but now the Bronco test has been adopted.
Change in test timing
According to the report, previously there were no set standards for the Bronco Test, but now the BCCI medical team has decided that players must complete the test within 5 minutes 15 seconds to 5 minutes 20 seconds. Players’ fitness will be assessed based on this, and team selection will be made accordingly.
Previously, athletes were required to score 16.5 in the Yo-Yo test. The 2K test was also required to be completed within 9 to 10 minutes.
Senior players will find it easier
The report also stated that Indian players were not accustomed to the Bronco Test. Therefore, different standards were initially set for each player. Senior players were given easier targets to pass the test.
According to sources, players like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy were also declared fit at times, depending on the needs of the team management.
matter taken seriously
The report also claims that BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia has taken the matter seriously. He has instructed team physio Kamlesh Jain to prioritize established fitness standards over player height or identity. The board now wants uniform rules for all players to reduce future injury concerns and ensure the team has fit players.