Earlier in the year, we learnt that the BCCI were using something called the Yo-Yo test to gauge the fitness of national team players, as the board is looking to prepare an extremely fit side ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
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One of the reasons why the Yo-Yo test gained in prominence was because former stalwarts Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina apparently failed to clear the test.
This automatically ruled them out of contention for the national side, as Virat Kohli has made it clear that all those who did not clear the test should not be considered for selection.
ALSO READ : Ashish Nehra talks about Virat Kohli’s Yo-Yo test scores!
A couple of weeks back, Ashish Nehra explained the Yo-Yo test while on commentary, and also revealed the issues faced by Yuvraj Singh.
“Yo-Yo test is just like we used to repeat the sprints and take the Blip test in 2002-03. In this test, you have to cover a range of 20 meters in a given time and have to return to start point on a blip. Once you reach 13 or 14 rating, you accelerate yourself. Team India has set 16.1 which is going to be 16.5 soon. So you have to run a lot,” Nehra told.
“It found it easy because as a pacer, I’m fond of running. But some players find it difficult. Like Yuvraj Singh is still stuck in there and yet to clear it,” Nehra said.
“Yuvraj is spending his time at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to get fit and pass the Yo-Yo test. He has that ability to make his place in ODIs and T20Is,” Nehra said.
Now we hear that the BCCI will raise the bar from 16.1 to 16.5 and then 17, as they will look to increase the fitness of the Indian players heading into 2019 World Cup.
“Fitness has always been one of the key aspects associated with this team. There are discussions going on as to whether the benchmark could go a touch higher, say 16.5, to increase the fitness standards further. There has to be a progression in every aspect and fitness is no different. However, nothing has been finalized.”
