The fitness tests conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has often hit the headlines due to their stringent rules. The Board has now, introduced a new 2km fitness test for the players in a bid to improve their existing fitness levels. Now as per reports, Sanju Samson, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Siddarth Kaul, Ishan Kishan and Jaydev Unadkat have failed to clear the test. The test was introduced by the BCCI this week at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. However, the players, who couldn’t pass the test, will be getting another chance to make amends. In case they couldn’t pass, then their participation in the upcoming ODIs and T20Is against England could be affected. “Since this is a new type of a fitness test, they will all get a second chance to clear it at a fresh date, after some gap. However, if they fail to clear it, then it puts their selection for the forthcoming white-ball series comprising five T20Is and three ODIs against England at home in doubt,” a source told to TOI.Of the players who failed the test, Samson remains the biggest name. He was in the Indian team for the T20I series against Australia and is expected to be a part of the squad against England too.
When the Yo-Yo test was introduced for the first time, many cricketers including the likes of Mohammed Shami and Ambati Rayudu had failed it. This prompted them to work on their fitness and clear the test in subsequent attempts which then paved the way for them to be included in the national team. Explaining the 2km test, the TOI report says, “A few fitness tests were conducted for around 20-odd cricketers who are in reckoning for the limited-overs series against England at home, and for the T20 World Cup in India later this year. Among these tests was the now famous yo-yo test and the new ‘2km run’ fitness test. In this test, a batsman, wicketkeeper or a spinner has to complete the two-kilometer distance in eight minutes and 30 seconds, while for a fast bowler, the benchmark is eight minutes and 15 seconds. Six of the players failed to clear these tests. Some players barely managed to complete the run,” the source said. As per sources, the new test also got green signals from head coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli. The Indian team is currently busy playing in the four-match Test series against England at home.
