Senior Indian cricketers including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah are set to undergo the mandatory Yo-Yo fitness test today (August 30) at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) ahead of the new season. However, there is still no clarity on Virat Kohli’s participation in the tests.
Mandatory pre-season checks
The BCCI has made it compulsory for all centrally contracted players to undergo pre-season tests, which include the Yo-Yo endurance test and Dexa scans to monitor bone density and fitness levels. These assessments are aimed at evaluating athletes’ conditions after a long break following India’s five-Test series against England earlier this month.
A senior BCCI official said that the tests help coaches identify areas where players need to improve. “All players have to undergo a pre-season fitness test. It’s mandatory as per the contract,” the official stated.
Yo-Yo test vs. Bronco test
There had been speculation about introducing the Bronco test, a fitness drill widely used in rugby, into Indian cricket. Strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux has recommended its inclusion, but it is likely to be introduced later in the season. For now, the Yo-Yo test remains the benchmark.
Who’s attending?
Apart from Rohit, Gill and Bumrah, other names expected to undergo the test include Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur. While not all of them will feature in the Asia Cup 2025, the BCCI insists that every contracted player must clear the tests before the season begins.
India will open their Asia Cup campaign on September 10, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return to action later, with a possible appearance in the India A vs Australia A series ahead of the marquee tour of Australia in October.
