BCCI reportedly considering new test to assess player endurance
The BCCI is reportedly exploring the introduction of the Bronco test—a demanding aerobic endurance assessment commonly used in rugby and football—as part of its new fitness protocols for the Indian men’s cricket team. The move follows the arrival of strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, who is said to be updating the team’s performance benchmarks, alongside the current Yo-Yo test and 2km time trial.
The Bronco test involves five sets of 20m, 40m, and 60m shuttle runs, totaling 1,200m, and is designed to test not just speed but also sustained effort, recovery time, and mental toughness.
AB de Villiers offers a brutal reality check
Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers didn’t hold back about what the test demands physically—and mentally.
“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. Over here in South Africa, we call it the sprint repeat ability test,” de Villiers said.
The former South Africa captain painted a vivid picture of the toll it can take on even the fittest athletes:
“It’s one of the worst you can do. I very clearly remember at the University of Pretoria, also at SuperSport Park, in the cold winter mornings of South Africa, in particular, where there’s not a lot of oxygen. The altitude here is, I think, 1,500 meters above sea level. So, not a lot of oxygen, and those lungs would burn,” de Villiers explained.
His comments reflect the intensity of the test, which could be a significant adjustment for Indian players more accustomed to the Yo-Yo test as the primary marker of fitness levels.
Ravichandran Ashwin raises concern over sudden changes
While the BCCI’s move may be aimed at improving athletic standards and reducing injury risk in the long term, Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced concern over the possible downside of frequent changes to fitness testing frameworks.
“When the trainers change, the testing mechanism changes… players go through a lot of difficulty. In many cases, it could also lead to injuries,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
His remarks point to the broader challenge faced by elite athletes: adapting to evolving physical expectations without compromising performance or well-being.
A shift in philosophy or a passing phase?
Whether the Bronco test becomes a permanent part of Indian cricket’s fitness culture remains to be seen. But with the backing of high-performance experts and a nod from past greats like de Villiers—who’ve endured its intensity—the move signals a shift toward more rigorous endurance metrics.
The coming months will reveal how Team India responds to the change—and whether the benefits outweigh the risks highlighted by voices like Ashwin’s.
