The Indian cricket team is set to introduce the Bronco Test to assess the fitness of its players. Manoj Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer, has made a controversial statement regarding this new fitness regime. Tiwary alleges that the Bronco Test, which is modeled after a rugby fitness test, is a strategic move to potentially exclude players like Rohit Sharma from the team. Rohit Sharma, at 38, intends to play until the 2027 World Cup. However, failure in the Bronco Test could jeopardize his spot in the team.
In an interview, Tiwary noted that the Bronco Test could pose challenges for Rohit Sharma, the ODI captain. While he believes it’s unlikely that Virat Kohli would be excluded from the 2027 World Cup plans, he has doubts about Rohit’s inclusion, given the current dynamics within Indian cricket. Tiwary suggested that the Bronco Test is aimed at players like Rohit Sharma, whom the team management might not want to include in future plans.
Tiwary highlighted the demanding nature of the Bronco Test and questioned its timing. He wondered why the test wasn’t introduced earlier, especially when the new head coach took over. He questioned the origins of the test, suggesting it was specifically designed to challenge players like Rohit. He stated that, without a strong focus on fitness, Rohit Sharma may struggle with the test, potentially leading to his exclusion from the team.
The Bronco Test, derived from rugby, is a more difficult fitness assessment compared to the Yo-Yo test. It features shuttle runs of varying distances (20, 40, and 60 meters) that must be completed within a specified timeframe. The Indian team’s strength and conditioning coach, Andrew Leipus, proposed the test to encourage cricketers, particularly fast bowlers, to prioritize running as part of their training regimen.