Indian Cricket to Get Fitter: BCCI Introduces the Bronco Test

The BCCI is implementing the Bronco Test to enhance the fitness of the Indian cricket team, adding a new dimension to the existing fitness assessments. The test, suggested by Adrian le Roux, the strength and conditioning coach, and approved by head coach Gautam Gambhir, will be used in conjunction with the Yo-Yo test and the two-kilometer time trial. The decision follows concerns over the fitness of Indian cricketers during the recent England Test series. The Bronco Test, originally designed for rugby, assesses players’ stamina and cardiovascular fitness. It involves running shuttle runs of 20, 40, and 60 meters, repeating the sequence five times in a row without stopping, covering a total distance of 1,200 meters. The target time for Indian cricketers is to finish the test in under six minutes. Trials of the test have already been conducted at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The initiative aims to establish clear fitness benchmarks, particularly addressing the need for cricketers, especially fast bowlers, to increase their running volume. This addition to the fitness regime seeks to elevate the team’s overall fitness levels and performance in competitive cricket.