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Sunil Gavaskar Calls for Transparency, Demands Yo-Yo Test Results to Be Made Public

image-lm8x3puxFormer India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar | Source: Twitter 

A major uproar unfolded in the Indian cricket team recently when former India captain Virat Kohli shared his Yo-Yo test score - 17.2 on his Instagram story. This prompted the BCCI to issue a statement reminding players not to divulge confidential test results on their social media profiles.  

However, just a few days later, PTI, the news agency, revealed that Shubman Gill had actually outperformed Kohli with a score of 18.7 in the fitness test. Gill's Yo-Yo test score not only exceeded the necessary threshold of 16.5 but also raised questions about Kohli's status as the fittest Indian cricketer. 

That being said, it's important to keep in mind that the Yo-Yo test score evaluates an athlete's fitness based on multiple factors. Sharing his perspective on the matter, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar cautioned against making too much of Gill's higher score, pointing out the significant age difference between Gill and Kohli. 

Gavaskar also praised the fitness of the Delhi batter. Here’s what the cricketer-turned-commentator wrote in his column for Mid-Day: 

“There was a lot of excitement when Kohli put out his YoYo score which was more than the limit that the BCCI trainers had set. Shubman Gill posting an even better YoYo score than Virat was by no means one-upmanship. The age difference between the two mustn't be forgotten and the elder has to be admired for his fitness standard.”

“The BCCI then directed that nobody should post their YoYo test scores which might have actually saved some blushes for some.” 

The India batting legend further stated that the Yo-Yo test results should be made public for maintaining transparency. He believes that if meeting the minimum fitness criteria is a selection prerequisite, it should be made public for accountability. 

“If it is true that unless the minimum standard of the YoYo test is not met, then the player is not eligible for selection then it's all the more important for this test to be done in the public domain so that the public that follows the game in their millions know that there are no players who have not met the minimum standard in the team."

In January this year, the BCCI brought back the Yo-Yo fitness test as a mandatory criterion for Indian cricket team selection. This call came after a review meeting, highlighting the board's commitment to ensuring that players meet a certain level of physical fitness when representing the nation in international cricket.