BCCI Revamps India Cricket Fitness Standards After England Tour Injuries

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has questioned team physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain following a spate of injuries, cramping and reduced mobility that plagued the Indian side during its recent England tour. The board’s concerns centre on a perceived decline in overall fitness standards and have prompted a review of the assessment process at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

In response, the BCCI is standardising fitness benchmarks, replacing the Yo‑Yo test with the Bronco shuttle test as the primary assessment. New target times are set at 5 minutes 15 seconds to 5 minutes 20 seconds for the Bronco test and a two‑kilometre run to be completed in nine to ten minutes. Senior players were reportedly given more lenient targets, a practice highlighted by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, leading to criticism that the previous system masked true fitness levels. Strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux is overseeing the implementation of the new standards.