Picture Credit: X/BCCI
In a latest development from Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced the Bronco Test, to improve the fitness standards of the players in the men’s team. It is understood that the new fitness test has been brought in for the Indian players on the recommendation of the strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, who is a part of Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir’s staff.
As per the report from Indian Express, some of the Indian players have already taken the Bronco Test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on a trial basis as a standard measure of fitness. Apart from the Bronco Test, the players of the Indian cricket team have already been working on their fitness with the Yo-Yo Test and two kilometre time trial for quite some time.
Bronco Test involves high-intensity aerobic running drills, to bolster the speed, stamina, and cardio of the players
Now the question arises as to what really is the Bronco Test, but to understand it, the importance of knowing its implication on players is just as important. Being brought in originally for the sport of rugby, the Bronco Test is known to measure aerobic endurance apart from pushing the limits of cardiovascular work from the players, especially the fast bowlers, who have to put a lot of load on their body to get the job done.
The Bronco Test involves high-intensity aerobic running drills, to bolster the speed, stamina, and cardio of the players with the shuttle runs of 20, 40, and 60 meters. In a particular set, a player has to run all three distances, doing it five times over to cover 1200 metres within six minutes, to hit their peak physical condition over a period of time, for playing at their best possible level in a particular match.
With the introduction of the Bronco Test, the BCCI is looking to put together a comprehensive fitness framework with role specific needs, especially with the high workload of some of the Indian players across formats.
