BCCI to work with Australian Strength & Conditioning Association to create uniformity training system

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, in a bid to create uniformity in the training system across ranks has tied up with the Australian Strength & Conditioning Association (ASCA) to work together on creating a pool of world-class trainers in the country. 

This training programme is seen as a way to increase the knowledge base of fitness trainers across all levels within the BCCI. This move comes shortly after the BCCI formed a Sports Science section at the National Cricket Academy under the guidance of former national team head physio Dr Nitin Patel.

Speaking about the development, a former India A trainer told PTI anonymously, "Often, we see that at the state level, the Strength and Conditioning training is completely different from what is there at India U-19, A or senior teams. This course will create enough S&C coaches, who can follow the curriculum at the state level." 

The source calls for a standard, and cited examples of how state teams have completely different parameters from what national team or NCA follows.

"The BCCI had sent a note to all state teams that the YoYo test (aerobic endurance fitness test) and 2k run, which were earlier used as fitness parameters, are no longer mandatory as full season post-COVID is starting, and we don't know about lung capacity of players. 

Still, at DDCA, Rajkumar Sharma and his coaching staff used YoYo as a parameter to decide who are eligible candidates when the world is acknowledging that it is not a parameter to judge cricketing fitness," he said.

It is also given to understand the training programme will be a three year one, spread across three levels (Beginner, Intermediate and advanced). As per reports, two male and one female S&C coaches per BCCI affiliated unit will be attending the training programme.