India's legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has warned the Team India management including head coach Gautam Gambhir regarding a shift in the team's fitness protocols. This comes after reports that the management has introduced the Bronco test as a new benchmark for player fitness. This test will not replace but rather supplement the existing standards, which include the Yo-Yo test and a 2-kilometre time trial, to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the players' physical condition.
R Ashwin fires warning against introduction of Bronco test
The introduction of the Bronco test, a strenuous assessment of aerobic endurance and cardiovascular limits, was reportedly prompted by concerns over the fitness levels of some fast bowlers during the recent Test series against England. According to reports, the team management felt that the bowlers' conditioning was not up to par. As a result, the new strength and conditioning coach, Adrian le Roux, has implemented this change and has also advised the pace bowlers to increase their running workload instead of relying solely on gym-based training.
In a discussion on his YouTube channel, Ashwin elaborated on the potential risks associated with such changes. He explained that when trainers and coaching staff are replaced, they often bring in their own distinct methods. Ashwin warned that it can be difficult for players to adapt to these new training regimens quickly, and a hasty transition can put them at a higher risk of sustaining injuries. His comments serve as a reminder to the management to handle the implementation of new fitness standards with care.
“I have always asked the trainers. When the trainers change, the testing mechanism changes. The trainer changes, the training schemes change. When this happens, players go through a lot of difficulty. As a player, if you keep changing training schemes, it is virtually very difficult for the players. In many cases, it could also lead to injuries. I am not denying that, it has led to injuries. From 2017 to 2019, I was searching for my training scheme. I have endured this. Soham Desai knows all about this,” said Ashwin on his Youtube channel.
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All about Bronco test
The Bronco test is a rigorous fitness assessment, commonly used in demanding sports like rugby and football, designed to gauge a player's aerobic endurance and recovery capacity. The test consists of continuous shuttle runs performed over five sets. In each set, the athlete runs to and from markers at 20 metres, 40 metres, and 60 metres without stopping, covering a total of 120 metres. Upon completing all five sets, the player will have run a total distance of 1,200 metres. The final score is the time taken to finish the entire sequence, with a faster time indicating a superior level of fitness.Offering his perspective on the implementation of this new test, Ashwin suggested that the management's focus should perhaps be elsewhere. He emphasized that what is most needed at the moment is a period of stability and consistency for the athletes. In his view, the priority should be to maintain continuity and give the players a breathing space.
“I just want to raise some questions. As a player, the problem is one of continuity. I would really like some continuity. It is important to give that. I would just want that whenever a new trainer comes in, he should work with the outgoing trainer for six months to one year to give the handover. It is important to address this issue. India has all the money and the means. This continuity needs to be bridged. As a wrap-up thought, I would just say that there is no need to change something that is working. If something is working, then it needs to be discussed and then changed,” Ashwin concluded.