The Yo-Yo Test has created a buzz in the recent time with Indian stars of the yesteryears, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina allegedly failing the test which prevented them from being included in the Indian squad led by Virat Kohli.
While it was learnt that clearing the Yo-Yo Test was paramount to be included in the team, it has now officially been confirmed that passing the yo-yo test is now mandatory to be picked in the national team.
“The captain, the coach and chief selector, along with the other members of the selection committee in consultation with the support staff (trainer and physio), have set the parameters. The fitness parameters set by the team management for athletes to be eligible for selection are non-negotiable,” CEO of BCCI Rahul Johri was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
Johri also added the players had been told to attain the basic scores in the test, but in due course of time, the standards of the test will be enhanced.
“On the yo-yo scale, the grade needed to be achieved is 16.1, which is the minimum standard set for an elite international sportsman. The players have been informed of such parameters, and most current players have already achieved this standard. In case of any exceptions, we’ve given them sufficient time to raise their fitness levels,” said Johri.
The CEO further added the players who had been selected for the Sri Lanka series and is currently playing the bilateral limited-overs series against Australia had all passed the yo-yo test as per the requirements of the team management. Meanwhile, member of the previous coaching panel has warned the team management that the fitness test shouldn’t be the only parameter for a player to get included in the national team.
“The yo-yo test can’t be the only criterion to test a cricketer’s fitness. It’s a skill-based sport. There’s so much mental stamina that’s required too,” said the unnamed member of the previous coaching staff of the Indian cricket team.
“While standardisation is good, one has to keep in mind the preparation time given to a player before the test and also how much cricket he’s played,” the ex-Indian cricketer said.
The unnamed former cricketer also stated a valid point when he stated that a U-19 player couldn’t make the cut for the T20I series against Australia for failing the yo-yo test, but the team management also considers the fatigue factor, as the player had gone through a hectic schedule.
“He’s played literally three non-stop months of cricket, starting with the local TNCA league, then the TNPL and then the Deodhar Trophy and India ‘A’ matches. Then, within a day-and-a-half, if he’s made to undergo a yo-yo test, obviously he can’t be expected to be the most prepared. Plus, players need to be told about the tests. There are those who run too fast at the start and eventually struggle once the time between the beeps starts reducing. You can’t just do it once and say ‘Ok, you’ve failed and you can’t be picked’,” added the ex-India player.