BCCI introduce new recommendations to improve player fitness

Indian cricket team in action (Source: Twitter)

Discussing India's 2022 T20 World Cup breakdown, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) convened a review meeting on Sunday, attended by President Roger Binny, Secretary Jay Shah, Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, NCA's Head of Cricket VVS Laxman and chairman of outgoing selection committee Chetan Sharma.

Among the major decisions, the Yo-Yo Test and Dexa has been made compulsory for the cricketers' selection in the national team. The Yo-Yo Test, which was given importance under Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri's regime, has been reintroduced as Indian cricket has suffered from the fitness of its players lately.

In another significant step, it has been noted that the emerging players must have substantial domestic experience to be considered for a national call-up. This is not in accordance with BCCI's past record of worthing a single good IPL season in leading a player straight into the national team.

As many as 20 players have been targeted for the 2023 ODI World Cup. They will be rotated across formats with the NCA and their respective IPL franchises working in tandem to monitor their workload and fitness.

Here is what BCCI's release said:

"The issues of player availability, workload management, and fitness parameters were discussed at length during the meeting along with the roadmap to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

"The emerging players will have to play a substantial domestic season to be eligible for selection to the national team.

"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.

"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."

India's home season begins with the three-match Sri Lanka T20I series, starting on January 3 at Mumbai.

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