Citing the “growing physical demands of international cricket,” the Indian cricket board has introduced mandatory 2K time trials in its training program for top players to measure speed and endurance, as The Indian Express learned.
It is now mandatory that the players signed by the BCCI and those fighting for a place on the Indian team complete this test, apart from the yo-yo test, in order to be selected in the squad.
“The board believed that current fitness levels played a big role in taking our fitness to the next level. It is important to take our fitness to another level now. The time trial will help us compete even better. The board will update the standards every year, ”a BCCI official told The Indian Express.
According to the new standard, the benchmark for fast bowlers is 8 minutes and 15 seconds. For batsmen, wicket keepers and spinners, the standard is 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The minimum yo-yo level for everyone remains at 17.1.
To put the new norm in perspective, elite athletes are expected to cover 2km in around 6 minutes and amateurs in 15 minutes.
The contracted players have been informed of the new brand approved by BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah in Australia. They were told that the board has created three windows for running the test this year: February, June, and August / September.
Currently, the board has made an exception for those who were part of the test series in Australia. However, anyone who fights for the White Ball series against England must undergo this test. It will also be a key criterion in choosing for the T20 World Championship, which will be held later this year.
The test – the criteria will be updated later – is carried out in the presence of a strength and conditioning member of the BCCI or the National Cricket Academy.
Former Indian team trainer Ramji Srinivasan says a time trial is better than the yo-yo and the “most effective” test. “It’s more functional than cricket. This tests your speed, thresholds, and planning your running pace. And you can’t cheat as this is time based, ”he said.
The BCCI introduced the yo-yo test a few years ago and it has become a key parameter for selection in the national team. Players like Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav and Sanju Samson had previously failed the test, which resulted in their being expelled from the squad.
The yo-yo test places two cones 20 meters apart and the athlete must walk between them when the beep sounds. The beeps become more frequent after a minute, and if the athlete does not reach the line within that time, they are expected to catch up within two more beeps. The test will abort if the player does not catch up before the beeps go off.
