Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced concerns about the Indian team’s changing fitness assessments after reports revealed that the Bronco test has been introduced under head coach Gautam Gambhir’s management.
The Bronco test, widely used in rugby and football, will now be conducted alongside the existing Yo-Yo test and 2-kilometre time trial. This change comes after new strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, who replaced Soham Desai, reportedly identified below-par fitness levels among some fast bowlers during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.
What is the Bronco Test?
The Bronco test measures a player’s aerobic endurance and cardiovascular fitness. It involves running five sets of shuttles—20m, 40m, and 60m—without rest. Each set covers 120m, and the total distance comes to 1,200m. The quicker the completion time, the better the player’s endurance level.
Le Roux has also advised Indian pacers to focus more on running workloads rather than depending solely on gym-based training. Notably, Mohammed Siraj was the only fast bowler who featured in all five Tests against England earlier this year.
Ashwin Warns Against Frequent Changes
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin highlighted the difficulties players face when fitness regimes change too often.
“When trainers change, the testing mechanism also changes. Training schemes change, and that puts players in a tough spot. Constantly switching training methods makes it very hard to adapt, and sometimes it even leads to injuries. I personally went through this between 2017 and 2019. Soham Desai knows what I endured,” he said.
Call for Stability and Continuity
Ashwin stressed that while new tests are welcome, continuity in training is essential for player well-being.
“As a player, the biggest issue is continuity. I feel a new trainer should ideally work with the outgoing trainer for six months to a year before making changes. India has the resources, but this handover system is missing. If something is already working, there’s no need to change it unless it’s discussed thoroughly,” he added.
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