To improve the fitness level of Indian cricketers, newly recruited head coach Gautam Gambhir, with the help of the strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, has introduced the bronco test as a supplement to the Yo-Yo Test and the 2-kilometre time trial. Originally played in rugby, the Bronco Test would gauge aerobic endurance and it pushes the cardiovascular max of athletes to their limits.
The concept of adding the test was proposed by Adrian le Roux, who rejoined Team India in June. Le Roux is not a first timer in Indian cricket, as he had worked an earlier stint as a trainer in the early 2000s. He is also very experienced in working with Cricket South Africa and IPL franchises in the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Punjab Kings. His arrival is timely because the fitness of players, especially fast bowlers, has been under the spotlight.
The recent five-test series in England brought to notice the loopholes in the Indian fitness levels. Only Mohammed Siraj played in all five Tests, and the rest of the fast bowlers lacked durability. As per the reports, le Roux has indicated that rather than relying only on the gym-based workouts, bowlers need to ensure that they optimise their stamina and endurance by increasing their runs to make them match fit.
The Bronco Test is now added as a routine of the fitness protocol of the Indian team. The drill involves the players do five sets of shuttle runs, including the 20m, 40m and 60m of the whole runs in the drill, adding up to 1,200m without rest. This is a challenging assignment, which tests the endurance, consistency, and recovery capacity used in expecting the participants to complete the test within a window of less than six minutes.
Some of the best cricketers are already tested at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Having Gambhir supporting the idea is bound to change the fitness standards in Indian cricket taking the instrumental to be more endurance-based and challenging.
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