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Indian Cricketers To Take Rugby-Style Bronco Test; Bumrah And Co To Get Tougher Drill

Rajgeeta Yadav

Team India cricketers to undergo rugby-centric Bronco Test [Source: AFP]Team India cricketers to undergo rugby-centric Bronco Test [Source: AFP]

In a big step to raise fitness levels, Indian team has introduced the Bronco Test, a rugby-style fitness drill, at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This test is aimed at boosting stamina, endurance, and overall match readiness. In particular, it will push fast bowlers to focus more on running instead of relying only on gym workouts.

As per Indian Express reports, the idea came from the team’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, and head coach Gautam Gambhir also agreed with it. The move was taken especially because, during the recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, the fitness of some fast bowlers was found lacking. In fact, only Mohammed Siraj managed to play all the matches.

Bronco Test Added To Mandatory Tests

Therefore, to make sure players maintain top-level fitness, Bronco Test has now been added to the list of mandatory tests. The test involves repeated shuttle runs of 20 metres, 40 metres, and 60 metres. 

One round of these three runs counts as a set, and players must complete five sets in total, which adds up to 1,200 metres without any break. Importantly, they need to finish this in six minutes.

“The Bronco Test has been introduced at the Centre of Excellence. Some of India’s contracted players have travelled to Bengaluru and have taken the test. The Bronco Test is being used to ensure there are clear fitness standards. Also, it was noticed that Indian cricketers, more so the fast bowlers, were not running enough and spending too much time in the gym. Players have been told that they will have to do more running,” a source said.

Moreover, the Bronco Test is not replacing existing checks. BCCI already has the Yo-Yo Test and a 2-kilometre time trial as fitness standards. The Yo-Yo Test makes players run back and forth between two markers placed 20 metres apart, at increasing speeds, with a 10-second pause between each 40-metre run. For Indian team, the minimum benchmark has been fixed at level 17.1.

Meanwhile, some top Indian players have already taken the Bronco Test in Bengaluru. This shift clearly shows a move towards more running-based fitness rather than just strength training.

It is also worth noting that Adrian le Roux is not new to Indian cricket. He had worked as the team’s fitness coach between 2002 and 2003, and he has also been part of Cricket South Africa and IPL teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings. Because of his wide experience in sports science, the team management believes this new approach will raise fitness levels across the squad.