Along with the Yo-Yo Test which is in place since the last two years, the BCCI has introduced a new fitness Test, called the time trial test for young players who are aspiring to play for the country at the international level. This will be a new speed and endurance Test over a distance of 2 km. This is an innovative move by the cricket board to scale new heights in terms of fitness.
As per a report in The Indian Express, the benchmark for fast bowlers would be 8 minutes and 15 seconds while for batsmen, spinners and wicket-keepers, it would be 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The new test doesn’t replace the existing Yo-Yo test but comes as the second fitness assessment that the players would now have to clear.
BCCI Introduces Time Trial Test For India Aspirants
“The Board felt that the current fitness standard played a huge role in getting our fitness to the next level. It is important to take our fitness level to another level now. The time trial exercise will help us to compete even better. The Board will keep updating the standards every year,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
All the BCCI contracted players have already been informed about the new test and the passing criteria after it got the necessary approval from BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah. The said tests will be carried out in February, June and August/September.
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The players who are a part of the Test series against Australia will not have to undergo the test at the moment. While the players, who will be selected for the limited-overs series against England will need to pass the test.
Ramji Srinivasan, who is a former Indian team trainer, rates the Time Trial test over Yo-Yo and has also branded it the “most effective”. “It is more functional towards cricket. This will test speed, threshold zones, how you plan your running pace. And you can’t cheat as this is time-based,” he said.
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