The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not going to make any compromises in the fitness standards of the Indian cricketers from now on as the board, under the direction of new BCCI President Roger Binny, has brought back the famed Yo-Yo test.
In addition, they have also added a Dexa test to the fitness parameters, which have been made strict after being disappointed by the fitness standards of the Indian men’s players last year.
On Sunday, January 1st, the BCCI conducted a review meeting of Team India’s performances in 2022, and also charted out the plans for 2023, where India could potentially play in the World Test Championship final, and will host the ODI World Cup in October-November.
The meeting was attended by newly-elected BCCI President Roger Binny, Honorary Secretary Jay Shah, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, Head of Cricket (NCA) VVS Laxman, and Chairman of Senior Men Selection Committee Chetan Sharma.
There were several key pointers discussed by the members, one of which was heavily emphasized is the return of the fitness of the cricketers.
In order to keep detailed track of the players’ fitness, the BCCI has decided to bring back the Yo-Yo test, which was part of the Kohli-Shastri era but hadn’t been used with strictness during the Rohit-Dravid tenure.
With this decision, the board has ensured that there will be no compromise on fitness from hereon.
“The Yo-Yo Test and Dexa will now be part of selection criteria and implemented in the customized roadmaps of the central pool of players,” the BCCI said in their released statement.
The Dexa scan is the international standard for measuring body composition and bone health – a ten-minute test that measures total body fat and includes the exact breakdown of bone mass, fat tissue, and muscle in the body.
BCCI may ask some Indian players to rest a few matches in the IPL!
The other key topic of discussion was the workload management of all-format players. For this, the board has, in no indirect terms, cleared that they will work together with the IPL franchises to track the workload of some of the national players.
This could also mean that the NCA may suggest the Indian players, especially those who have a history of recent injuries, to take a rest in some of the IPL matches!
“Keeping in mind the Men’s FTP and preparations for ICC CWC 2023, the NCA will work in tandem with the IPL Franchisee to monitor the targeted Indian players participating in the IPL 2023,” the BCCI release said.
