AMRIT MATHUR HUR
From the teams picked by MSK Prasad’s selection committee, three players have been ruled out on fitness grounds — Mohammed Shami, Sanju Samson and now Ambati Rayudu. All beaten by the dreaded Yo-yo test that measures cardio capacity.
The method and rationale in these tests is Indian cricket puts ‘fitness first’ and makes it a precondition for selection. This shows India is on the ball, conscious that modern cricket requires players to be fit. It also recognises the fact that performance is a result of hours spent in the net and the gym. Skill is essential, so is fitness and anyone not up to scratch on the latter score can say goodbye to ambitions of playing for India.
This is the new culture of the Indian team, scripted personally by Virat Kohli, a super fit captain who thinks carbs are poison and working out daily is a blessing. He leads by example, sets the bar high and is absolutely uncompromising about the standards.
Focus on fitness is one of the many features of Virat’s new Team India. This group is different in attitude from earlier teams-- more professional, driven and ruthless. The environment around the team is so edgy everyone must always be on full alert. Players know that any sign of drop in intensity, the slightest hint of complacency will attract serious punishment.
In the recent past, practically every player has received a dose of this tough medicine. Vice Captain Rahane couldn’t hold his slot in the team, Cheteshwar Pujara had to fight hard to keep his place, Karun Nair lost his despite a Test triple hundred. Every fast bowler has had to sit out and R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, certainties for so long, ceded their positions to youngsters Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. People missing out for failing the Yo-yo test confirm age is only a number. MS Dhoni is 36 but fine because he is fit; Sanju Samson only 23 but not good because he can’t clear the test .
While this overall method about fitness is admirable the implementation of this policy is not without an element of madness. First, it’s unclear who laid down this rule that it is mandatory to pass the Yo-yo test. One is not sure whether it has any official sanction, any formal