New Delhi: Fitness has played an important role in the Indian cricket squads transition from a competitive team to a world-beating side. Fitness has improved standards in the last decade, especially under the leadership of Virat Kohli. After a stellar Test series win against Australia, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is wasting no time to kickstart preparations for India’s upcoming cricket assignments. According to a report on the Indian Express, the BCCI has introduced mandatory 2-km time trials to measure speed and endurance levels in its training programme for players.
The 2 KM time-trials will measure the speed and endurance levels, and will be done in the supervision of a strength and conditioning member of the BCCI or the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Team India players will now have to clear a speed and endurance test over a distance of 2 km, along with the ‘Yo-Yo’ test. All the BCCI contracted players have been informed about the new test and passing criteria following the approvals from BCCI present Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.
“The Board felt that the current fitness standard played a huge role in getting our fitness to the next level. It is important to take our fitness level to another level now. The time trial exercise will help us to compete even better. The Board will keep updating the standards every year,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express.
As per the reports, the fast bowlers have to cover the 2-kilometre distance inside 8:15 minutes. For batsmen, spinners and wicket-keepers, the standard will be 8 minutes and 30 seconds. It was further reported that the test will be carried out in the months of February, June, and August/September.
BCCI has made an exemption for the players who were part of the Test series in Australia. However, players who will be selected for the limited-overs series would be required to clear the Compulsory test. Former India team trainer Ramji Srinivasan says a time trial is better than the yo-yo and ‘most effective’ test. “It is more functional towards cricket. This will test speed, threshold zones, how you plan your running pace. And you can’t cheat as this is time-based.”
