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The recent media reports stating that the BCCI will introduce Bronco Test for the Indian team have garnered mixed reviews with former cricketers like Ravichandran Ashwin expressing how it can lead to an increase in the number of injuries. It all began with a report by The Indian Express which claimed that the BCCI want to introduce the test in order to maintain a high level of fitness among the players. This suggestion was reportedly made by Adrian le Roux, who is the Men in Blue's strength and conditioning coach.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir was also reportedly in favour of the introduction of the Bronco Test and this decision was taken following the Indian team's injury problems during the five-match Test series against England. Bronco Test was originally developed for Rugby and it includes a high-intensity running drill. It includes shuttle runs of 20, 40, and 60 meters with one set consists of running all three distances. The players are required to complete five contnuous tests without taking any rest.
However, former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary feels that the introduction of Bronco Test is an attempt to drive out senior players like Rohit Sharma from the ODI set-up. Notably, one-day cricket is the only format where Rohit is currently active as a player and he is also the skipper of the team.
"I think it will be very difficult to keep out Virat Kohli from the plans for the 2027 World Cup. But I have a doubt that they are going to look at Rohit Sharma in the scheme of things because... See, I'm a very keen observer of what's going on in Indian cricket. And I believe this Bronco Test, which was introduced a few days back, is for players like Rohit Sharma and someone who I believe they don't want to be a part of the team in the future. And that's why it has been introduced," Tiwary told CricTracker.
"You know, the Bronco Test will be one of the toughest fitness test parameters that has been introduced by Indian cricket. But the only question is, why now? Why not when your new head coach got the assignment from the very first series? Whose idea is it? Who introduced this? Who enforced this Bronco Test a few days back? So it is a question for which I don't have an answer, but the observation says that it is going to be difficult for Rohit Sharma if he doesn't work really hard on his fitness. And I think he will be stopped at the Bronco Test," he added.
Rohit can play in the ODI series against Australia
Meanwhile, Rohit can soon be seen in action for India in one-day cricket. The 38-year-old can feature in the three-match ODI series against Australia which is set to commence from October 19. If he does play, then this series will be Rohit's first competitive assignment since IPL 2025 where he featured for the Mumbai Indians.
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