The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering bringing back old fitness test rules that were in place during Virat Kohli’s tenure as skipper of the national team. This move from the board comes as the team looks to recover from recent Test series losses to New Zealand and Australia.
The India national cricket team has faced heavy criticism after suffering their worst slump in form in Tests. They endured a series whitewash at home against New Zealand and followed it with a crushing defeat in Australia, losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series for the first time in nearly a decade.
BCCI Considers Reintroducing Old Fitness Test Rules from Virat Kohli’s Tenure
According to a report by the Times of India, the BCCI is considering reintroducing the yo-yo test to improve the team’s fitness standards and use it as a selection criterion. The BCCI medical team has been asked to focus on fitness for selection, not just injury prevention, due to the demanding schedule.
The yo-yo test, previously removed by the past team management to reduce injuries, might be reinstated. An anonymous BCCI source noted that the leniency towards fitness assessments led to some players taking advantage, and there’s now a push to set clear fitness standards to avoid complacency.
“The board had gone lenient on the players since they are mostly on the road. The focus had shifted to just injury prevention. This has been taken lightly by some players. It is being mooted that a certain fitness level criteria needs to be reintroduced so that complacency doesn’t creep in,” the source mentioned.
BCCI Plans Changes to Team Protocols
The BCCI is also planning changes to team protocols, including restricting the stay of players’ families during overseas tours. Officials believe that family presence can distract players and impact their performance.
A new rule has been introduced, requiring players to travel with the team at all times. This addresses concerns over some players traveling separately, which is seen as disruptive to team unity and discipline.
Players Are Consumed in Their Individual Lives After Training or a Game
During a meeting with BCCI officials, including captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, it was suggested that there should be limits on the time players spend with their spouses or partners during long tours, and concerns about players requesting separate accommodations were also discussed.
“The board is a bit concerned that a team which has been so consistent across formats for more than half a decade is suddenly struggling to click with almost the same set of players. It comes down to a lack of galvanising force in the team. It has emerged that players are consumed in their individual lives once they are done with training or a game,” the BCCI source said.
“Players these days have their families around along with a big entourage. Some have even requested to stay in different hotels and a few have made their own travel arrangements within the country. These players are barely seen with the rest of the team. The board is contemplating restricting the length of stay for families to two weeks on a lengthy tour,” the source added.
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