Every Indian cricketer — not just those who play the energy-intensive shorter versions, but even Test cricketers — will now need to have a basic level of aerobic endurance prescribed by the team management.
According to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, even if a cricketer happens to be injury-free and in form, failure to meet the mandatory fitness parameters would result in him making way for a fitter player.
“The captain, 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,” Johri told The Indian Express.
“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,” added Johri.
Well, now Yuvraj Singh‘s hopes of an international comeback may have been dealt a setback, at least for the time being, as the middle order batsman has failed to clear the Yo-Yo test. The 35- year-old World Cup winner, who has been preparing hard for the test, could not meet the new benchmark for fitness to be part of the Indian team.
Yuvraj appeared for the fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore on Tuesday. The all-rounder is now expected to be part of the Punjab Ranji campaign. The team will take on Vidarbha in Mohali from October 14.
Also, Cheteswhar Pujara, who too appeared for the test along with Yuvraj, has cleared it. Ravichandran Ashwin and Pujara clocked higher than the required mark of 16.1 at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
