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What Is The Bronco Test? The 'Tough' New Fitness Standard For Indian Cricketers

Soumyajit Dutta

Indian cricket team running [Source: @abdullah_sharif/X.com]Indian cricket team running [Source: @abdullah_sharif/X.com]

In a significant shift in its fitness protocol, the Indian cricket team has officially integrated the Bronco Test into its mandatory conditioning assessments. This move, championed by strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux and endorsed by head coach Gautam Gambhir, signals a more sport-specific approach to building the stamina and endurance required for the modern game. 

The decision was spurred by concerns over player fitness, particularly among fast bowlers, during the recent Test series in England, highlighting the need for a drill that better replicates the physical demands of cricket. Hence, let's take a deeper dive into what the Bronco Test is and how it will impact the fitness of Indian cricketers.

What Is The 'Rugby-Inspired' Bronco Test?

The Bronco Test is a gruelling, continuous shuttle run designed to gauge a player's aerobic and anaerobic endurance, speed endurance, and mental fortitude. Unlike gym-based strength tests or the longer 2-kilometre time trial, the Bronco Test is a high-intensity shuttle run that simulates the stop-start nature and repeated explosive efforts required on the cricket field. 

How To Perform In The Bronco Test?

The execution of the Bronco Test is meticulously structured. A course is set up with markers placed at 0m, 20m, 40m, and 60m from a designated starting line. The athlete's task is to complete a specific shuttle pattern without any rest. They run 20 meters out, touch the line, and return to the start (0m). Immediately upon return, they run 40 meters out and back and finally, they run 60 meters out and back. 

The entire sequence of 20m, 40m, 60m, and back each time, constitutes one set. The athlete must complete five of these sets consecutively, resulting in a total covered distance of 1200 meters, or 1.2 kilometres.

The primary objective is to complete the entire five-set sequence in the shortest possible time. The total time taken is meticulously recorded, and faster times directly indicate a higher level of fitness, specifically a superior Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS), the slowest speed at which an athlete's body reaches its maximum oxygen uptake. 

For the Indian national team, the benchmark has been set at a challenging six minutes, a standard that all players must now meet to be considered for selection.

How The Bronco Test Will Impact Cricketers?

The value of the Bronco Test for India's cricket is multifaceted. It accurately reflects the demands of a match, especially for fielders and bowlers. The short, sharp sprints to field a ball, followed by a quick recovery, and the repeated high-intensity efforts of a fast bowler's run-up and follow-through are perfectly mirrored in the test's structure. 

It measures crucial components like aerobic capacity, the ability to sustain speed over a period, and, most importantly, the power to repeat high-intensity efforts even when fatigued. Furthermore, its relentless nature is a proven tool for building mental toughness, teaching players to push through extreme discomfort.