Fitness tests are always a hot topic in Indian cricket. From the Yo-Yo test to the recently introduced Bronco test, these benchmarks are seen as a way to measure a player’s readiness.
But cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar has now raised his voice, warning the BCCI and team management not to rely on such tests for deciding who makes it into the national side.
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His concern is simple that one test cannot fit all players. Let's take a look at what he had to say.
What is the Bronco Test and why is it being discussed?
The Bronco Test is seen as a tougher version of the famous Yo-Yo test. Unlike the Yo-Yo, this one has no recovery breaks and pushes a player’s stamina to the limit.
Reports suggest that Indian cricketers still underwent the Yo-Yo Test ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, but the Bronco is expected to be rolled out slowly.
It is designed to measure endurance, but many experts feel the demands may not suit every type of player. That is where Gavaskar has stepped in with his warning.
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Why does Gavaskar feel one test cannot apply to all players?
In his column, Gavaskar explained that every role in cricket requires different kinds of fitness.
A wicketkeeper is always on the move, a fast bowler needs explosive power, while a spinner works long hours in the field with a different strain on the body. Batters, on the other hand, prepare for endurance over long sessions.
“While it is fine to have these tests to get a general idea of where a player needs to strengthen their body, having them decide selection to the national team is a tad too much," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
“Every person’s body is different, so having one standard for everybody in the squad is well-nigh impossible. There has to be consideration given to the player’s speciality and allowances made for that."
“For example, a wicketkeeper, who is constantly on the move the whole day, requires a different fitness level than the others. The fast bowlers will be different from the spinners, though the spinners will invariably bowl as many, if not more, overs in the day than them. The batters will need a different kind of fitness," he said.
According to him, having one strict standard for everyone is simply “impossible”. He urged the management not to treat the Bronco numbers as the only factor in choosing a player.
"As you can see, there is no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. As long as this is taken into account and the strict parameters of the new test are not followed rigidly, then it is fine," he added.
The former captain wrote that the “most important test” cannot be measured in kilometres or time, it lies in the mind and the heart. For him, true selection should depend on whether a player’s heart beats only for Indian cricket.
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“The most important test for playing at the highest level for your country cannot be measured, as it’s between the two ears. And the clincher for me is when the heart is opened, it should have only two words, ‘Indian cricket’, and nothing else," he concluded.