In another attempt to take the fitness levels of Indian cricket to another level, head coach Gautam Gambhir has come up with the Bronco Test as a new fitness assessment tool. Strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, who returned to the side earlier this year, has played a major role in implementing this system to the side.
Gambhir Endorses Bronco Test for Team India
The Bronco Test, which is popular in rugby, is now to be used alongside the Yo-Yo Test and the 2-kilometre time trial. In reports, le Roux came up with the idea after realizing the deficiencies in the endurance levels of the players during the recent Test tour of England by India.
Le Roux, who has worked with Team India in the early 2000s and has considerable experience with franchises such as the Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, added that the Indian fast bowlers must pay more attention to running-based practice rather than spending too much time in the gym.
What is Bronco Test?
The Bronco Test is a special test aimed at measuring the aerobic capacity and cardiovascular strength. It is a shuttle running game; it consists of five rounds of shuttle runs, during which the team members are required to run 20 metres, then 40 metres, and later 60 metres and repeat this in a continuous manner. It is 1,200 metres in total and the reference run-time is six minutes.
The Bronco Test doesn’t allow for the breaks which you would get in the Yo-Yo Test, as it keeps you running at a consistent pace. This increases the challenge of stamina and endurance, which are the main requirements of players who are engaged in the longer forms of the game.
Fitness Concerns After England Series
The move to use the Bronco Test was prompted by fitness issues that were witnessed during the five-Test series against England. Mohammed Siraj was the only pacer to feature in all the matches and the others lacked fitness and stamina to survive the hectic season.
Gambhir and le Roux, the management, feels that the endurance gained during the Bronco Test will come in handy to bowlers and all-format players in terms of energy maintenance towards the end of longer tours. This action brings out a change in Indian philosophy, where focus is more on field endurance and not sheer strength training.
Bronco Test to Join BCCI Fitness Protocols
The BCCI has been utilising the Yo-Yo Test and 2km time trial as important selection criteria for a long time. The Bronco Test has now been introduced as part of the protocols and this means players will be subjected to a more strenuous endurance-based test. Some of the best cricketers have already done the test in the Centre of Excellence of the BCCI in Bengaluru.
The Bronco Test is likely to be a significant future part of selecting players in both Test and ODI teams as Gambhir has supported the move. Stamina and endurance will play a key role in selection of teams, particularly in those formats which require prolonged concentration and physical effort.
With the introduction of the Bronco Test, the training culture in Indian cricket is likely to get a new dimension as it is now inculcated into the training culture of cricket globally whereby the aerobic capacity has become as important as the skills and technique.
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