The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has always been at the forefront of innovation, not only in terms of cricketing strategy but also in player conditioning and fitness. With the introduction of the Bronco Test as a new fitness benchmark for Indian cricketers, the BCCI aims to elevate the physical standards of its players to meet the demands of modern cricket. This high-intensity endurance drill, originally popularized in rugby and football, has sparked intense discussion within the cricketing community. Former South African captain AB de Villiers, known for his exceptional athleticism, has called it “one of the worst” fitness tests, citing its grueling nature and the physical toll it takes, especially in high-altitude conditions. Meanwhile, Indian players and coaches are navigating this new challenge as they prepare for major tournaments like the Asia Cup 2025. This article delves into the intricacies of the Bronco Test, its implications for Indian cricket, the reactions it has elicited, and its potential to reshape the fitness culture within the sport.
What is the Bronco Test?
The Bronco Test is a high-intensity running drill designed to measure aerobic capacity, stamina, and mental toughness. Unlike the Yo-Yo Test, which has been a staple in Indian cricket since 2016, the Bronco Test emphasizes continuous endurance with no rest intervals. The test involves five sets of shuttle runs covering distances of 20 meters, 40 meters, and 60 meters, totaling 1,200 meters. Players must complete these runs back-to-back, pushing their cardiovascular systems and mental resilience to the limit. The goal is to finish the 1,200 meters as quickly as possible, ideally within six minutes, making it a particularly demanding assessment compared to other fitness tests.
The structure of the Bronco Test is straightforward but punishing:
Start at the baseline: The player begins at the starting line.
First shuttle (20m): Run to the 20-meter mark and back to the baseline.
Second shuttle (40m): Run to the 40-meter mark and back.
Third shuttle (60m): Run to the 60-meter mark and back.
Repeat: Complete five sets of these shuttles, covering 120 meters per set, for a total of 1,200 meters.
This format simulates the stop-start demands of cricket, particularly for fast bowlers who need sustained stamina during long spells and fielders who require quick bursts of speed. The test’s continuous nature, without recovery periods, makes it a unique challenge, testing not just physical endurance but also mental grit under fatigue.
The BCCI’s Push for Enhanced Fitness
The introduction of the Bronco Test comes under the guidance of India’s new strength and conditioning coach, Adrian Le Roux, and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Le Roux, who took over in June 2025, brings a rugby-inspired approach to fitness, aligning Indian cricket with global best practices in athlete conditioning. The BCCI’s decision to incorporate the Bronco Test alongside the Yo-Yo Test and the 2-kilometer time trial reflects a broader strategy to ensure players are equipped for the relentless demands of modern cricket, where multi-format schedules require peak physical performance.
The Bronco Test is particularly relevant for fast bowlers, who face immense physical demands during extended spells in Test matches or high-intensity overs in T20s. Unlike gym-based training, the Bronco Test focuses on game-like movements—sprinting, turning, and recovering under fatigue—making it a practical tool for assessing match readiness. The BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has already begun implementing the test, with reports indicating that several players have undergone it as part of their preparation for the Asia Cup 2025.
AB de Villiers’ Alarming Perspective
AB de Villiers, one of the fittest cricketers of his generation, has provided a vivid account of the Bronco Test’s intensity. In a video on his YouTube channel, he recounted his experience with the test, which he knew as the “sprint repeat ability test” in South Africa. “I actually didn’t even know when the team told me about it. I said, ‘What is a Bronco Test?’ But when they explained it to me, I knew exactly what it was. I’ve been doing it ever since I was 16 years old,” de Villiers said. He described the test as “one of the worst you can do,” recalling how it left his lungs burning during sessions at high-altitude venues like the University of Pretoria and SuperSport Park, where the altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level exacerbates the lack of oxygen.
De Villiers’ comments highlight the test’s physical toll, particularly in challenging environmental conditions. However, he also acknowledged its value, noting that it effectively measures aerobic capacity, speed endurance, and mental toughness—qualities essential for elite athletes. His endorsement of the test’s merit, despite its difficulty, underscores its potential to elevate fitness standards, even as he warned of its grueling nature.
Mixed Reactions from the Cricketing Fraternity
The introduction of the Bronco Test has not been without controversy. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concerns about the abrupt shift in fitness protocols. On his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin emphasized the importance of continuity in training methods to avoid injuries. “When the trainers change, the testing mechanism changes… players go through a lot of difficulty. In many cases, it could also lead to injuries,” he said. He suggested that new coaches like Le Roux should work alongside their predecessors for six months to a year to ensure a smooth transition, arguing that there was no need to overhaul a system that was already effective.
Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary has taken a more critical stance, alleging that the Bronco Test might be a deliberate tactic to exclude senior players like Rohit Sharma from the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. “The only question is, why now? Who introduced this? It is going to be difficult for Rohit Sharma if he doesn’t work really hard on his fitness,” Tiwary remarked in an interaction with Crictracker. He drew parallels to the introduction of the Yo-Yo Test post-2011 World Cup, which he claimed was used to phase out legends like Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, and Virender Sehwag.
On the other hand, former Indian strength and conditioning coach Ramji Srinivasan has lauded the BCCI’s move, arguing that the Bronco Test complements the Yo-Yo Test and 2-kilometer time trial by providing a comprehensive assessment of fitness. Srinivasan emphasized that the test’s focus on sustained endurance makes it particularly relevant for fast bowlers, who need to maintain intensity over long periods.
Comparing the Bronco Test with the Yo-Yo Test
To understand the Bronco Test’s significance, it’s worth comparing it with the Yo-Yo Test, which has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket’s fitness regime since its introduction by former strength and conditioning coach Shankar Basu. The Yo-Yo Test involves running between two cones 20 meters apart at increasing speeds, with a 10-second recovery period after every 40 meters. The minimum benchmark for Indian players is a score of 17.1, which tests recovery and agility under fatigue.
In contrast, the Bronco Test eliminates recovery periods, requiring players to maintain a high level of intensity throughout the 1,200-meter course. While the Yo-Yo Test mimics the stop-start nature of cricket (e.g., sprinting between wickets), the Bronco Test focuses on continuous stamina, making it more akin to the endurance required in longer formats or fielding-intensive situations. Former Indian fitness coach Soham Desai, speaking on Ashwin’s podcast, noted that both tests assess aerobic fitness but differ in their approach: “The Yo-Yo Test is a bit of a cricket-specific test… The Bronco Test, the Yo-Yo Test, the 2 kilometers—these are all tools. The quality they assess is aerobic fitness.”
Implications for Indian Cricket
The adoption of the Bronco Test signals a new era of fitness in Indian cricket, aligning the team with global standards in sports conditioning. By emphasizing sustained speed, stamina, and mental toughness, the test addresses the evolving demands of cricket, where players must perform across formats with minimal recovery time. Fast bowlers, in particular, stand to benefit, as the test replicates the physical demands of bowling long spells in Test matches or maintaining intensity in T20s.
However, the transition to this new fitness regime must be managed carefully to avoid the pitfalls highlighted by Ashwin and Tiwary. Abrupt changes in training methods can lead to injuries, especially for players accustomed to the Yo-Yo Test’s structure. The BCCI would do well to implement a phased approach, allowing players to adapt to the Bronco Test’s demands while maintaining continuity with existing protocols.
Moreover, the test’s introduction raises questions about selection criteria and team composition. If the Bronco Test becomes a mandatory benchmark, it could influence the inclusion of senior players like Rohit Sharma, who has already retired from T20Is and Test cricket but aims to continue in ODIs. The BCCI must balance the need for fitness with the value of experience, ensuring that talented players are not excluded solely based on a single fitness metric.
The Road Ahead: Asia Cup 2025 and Beyond
As India prepares for the Asia Cup 2025, the Bronco Test will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s fitness standards. The tournament, which pits India against Asia’s top cricketing nations, demands peak physical performance, especially in high-pressure matches. The BCCI’s focus on fitness reflects its ambition to maintain India’s dominance in international cricket, particularly in the face of a packed multi-format schedule.
The Bronco Test’s integration into India’s fitness toolkit also highlights the influence of global sports science. By adopting a rugby-inspired drill, the BCCI is aligning Indian cricket with practices used by elite teams like the New Zealand All Blacks. This move underscores the growing importance of cross-sport learning, where cricket borrows from disciplines like rugby and football to enhance player conditioning.
In Summary
The Bronco Test represents a bold step forward in Indian cricket’s quest for physical excellence. While its intensity has drawn warnings from AB de Villiers and concerns from Ravichandran Ashwin, its potential to elevate fitness standards cannot be understated. As Indian cricketers adapt to this grueling drill, they will be better equipped to handle the demands of modern cricket, from sprinting between wickets to bowling marathon spells. However, the BCCI must tread carefully, ensuring a seamless transition to avoid injuries and maintain team cohesion. With the Asia Cup 2025 on the horizon, the Bronco Test could mark the beginning of a fitter, faster, and more resilient Team India—one ready to conquer the challenges of the global stage.
