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Indian cricket’s fitness standards have always been a talking point, and once again the spotlight has shifted—this time from the famous Yo-Yo Test to the tougher Bronco Test. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly introduced the Bronco Test as the new benchmark for player selection and performance monitoring.
But what exactly is the Bronco Test? How does it differ from the Yo-Yo Test? And why has it created waves in the Indian cricketing circle? Let’s break it down.
The Yo-Yo Endurance Test became popular under the guidance of former coach Ravi Shastri and trainer Shankar Basu. It measures a player’s aerobic fitness and ability to recover during high-intensity running.
Players run back and forth between markers 20 meters apart, with increasing speed levels.
The minimum passing score for Indian players was set at 16.1.
It became a selection criteria for years—Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya aced it, while some players like Yuvraj Singh struggled.
The Bronco Test, now used by BCCI, is even more demanding. It requires players to run five sets of 20m, 40m, and 60m shuttles continuously, covering 2 km in under 8 minutes.
Originated in rugby and football training.
Focuses on endurance, lung capacity, and sustained sprinting.
More punishing than the Yo-Yo, with less recovery time.
| Feature | Yo-Yo Test | Bronco Test |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Shuttle runs, ~20 meters each | Continuous runs (20m, 40m, 60m) |
| Recovery | Short recovery between runs | No recovery—continuous sprinting |
| Focus | Aerobic fitness, recovery ability | Endurance & sprinting capacity |
| Difficulty | Moderate to high | Very High |
| Passing Standard | Level 16.1 for India | 2 km under 8 minutes |
The new test has sparked debates for multiple reasons:
Tougher on Senior Players – Concerns that stars like Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami may find it harder to pass compared to younger cricketers.
Game-Specific Relevance – Critics argue that cricket involves bursts of energy, not continuous sprinting like in football or rugby.
Selection Pressure – Fitness may overshadow skills; fans fear talented but less fit players could be sidelined.
Positive Angle – Supporters say Bronco sets a higher benchmark, ensuring Indian players match global fitness standards.
Supporters believe the Bronco Test will produce leaner, faster athletes, better suited for modern cricket’s pace.
Critics call it “overkill,” suggesting that fitness benchmarks should align with cricket-specific demands rather than rugby-style tests.
The Bronco vs. Yo-Yo fitness test debate reflects the ongoing tension between athletic fitness and cricketing skills. While the BCCI pushes for higher endurance standards, questions remain: Should cricket fitness tests mirror football and rugby, or should they remain cricket-specific?
One thing is certain—the introduction of the Bronco Test has set the stage for a new era of fitness in Indian cricket, with both opportunities and challenges ahead
With chances, training, and international aspirations in mind, here is the place where budding cricket players excel.
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