India head Ravi Shastri will kick off his second term as head coach with the upcoming home series against South Africa. He is certain to bring in some changes in the fitness level of the team. As per a report in Mumbai Mirror, Shastri is all set to hold a meeting with the stakeholders to increase the yo-yo test bar to 17.
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For now, the Indian players are asked to touch the mark of 16.1 to be eligible for selection in the national team. The mark of 16.1 is the lowest among the international teams. To improve on the fitness level of the team, Ravi Shastri will ask to increase the minimum cut to clear the test.
The yo-yo test was made compulsory in the year 2017. It saw players Ambati Rayudu, Sanju Samson (India A) and Mohammed Shami being dropped from the squad while Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh could not make their comebacks due to a failure in clearing the test.
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Both Rayudu and Shami made their comebacks later while Raina also played international cricket in 2018 after clearing the test.
In 2017, reports had suggested that Manish Pandey had pipped Virat Kohli’s yo-yo test score by touching the mark of 19.2.
Rohit Sharma to open in Tests –
The report in Mumbai Mirror also suggests that Ravi Shastri is batting for Rohit Sharma to be given opening duties Test cricket. With the backing of head coach, Rohit is expected to do the opening job right from the upcoming home series against South Africa, that starts on October 2.
The probable reasons behind pushing Rohit to open could be the continues failures of KL Rahul and no place a senior like Rohit in the middle-order.
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Given his stature and records in limited-overs cricket, it is not easy for the team management to see Rohit sit on the bench in Test cricket. He didn’t get a chance in the two-match Test series against West Indies despite being in the squad.
In 2013, Rohit was asked to open in ODIs by then skipper MS Dhoni. The move worked and six years on, he remains to be team India’s opener in white-ball cricket.
Rohit has three double-centuries in ODIs and four T20Is centuries as well. If Rohit opens the innings in South Africa series, it will mean that KL Rahul will have to vacate his spot for the senior batsman.