Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar, has expressed his disagreement with the newly introduced Bronco test being used as a criterion for selecting players to the senior men’s national cricket team. The test, supervised by India’s strength and conditioning coach, Adrian Le Roux, was recently put into practice during a training session in Dubai with the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025. It adds a new dimension to the existing Yo-Yo and 2-kilometer time trial fitness benchmarks.
The Bronco test, which is commonly used in sports like rugby and football, involves continuous shuttle runs without rest periods, testing the player’s cardiovascular endurance and stamina.
Gavaskar’s Concerns About One-Size-Fits-All Approach
While acknowledging the importance of fitness tests, Gavaskar cautioned that a “one-size-fits-all” approach does not account for the diverse body types and specific fitness needs of players. He stressed that different players, like wicketkeepers, fast bowlers, spinners, and batters, require distinct fitness levels, and this should be considered during selection.
Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar, “While these tests can provide a general idea of a player’s fitness, using them to decide national selection is excessive. Every player’s body is different, and there needs to be flexibility based on each player’s role. A wicketkeeper’s fitness requirements are different from a fast bowler’s, and a spinner will need a different fitness level from a batter. So, the idea of a single standard for all is unrealistic.”
Passion for Indian Cricket: The True Test
Gavaskar emphasized that the true test for playing at the highest level for the country cannot be measured physically. “It’s between the two ears,” he wrote, stressing that the desire to represent India should be at the heart of every player.
He further questioned the decision-makers behind the introduction of the Bronco test, pointing out that there is no longer a formal cricket committee in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ratify such decisions. “I wonder who is behind the decision to bring this test into play,” said Gavaskar.
Details of the Bronco Test
In the Bronco test, players are required to complete a sequence of shuttle runs — 20 metres, 40 metres, and 60 metres — five times without a break. The top athletes are expected to complete this endurance test within six minutes.
While Gavaskar supports the idea of fitness tests, he advocates for a more personalized approach that considers the unique needs of each cricketer.
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