Rayudu undone by endurance test

BANGALORE: After pacer Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu could be the latest addition to the list of India players undone by the strict fitness standards set by the team management. It is learnt from well-informed sources that Rayudu has failed the Yo-Yo test and could face difficulty in keeping a place in the 16-member squad for the ODI tour of England. His fitness test was held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Friday morning. A final decision is yet to be taken by the team management.

Shami and India A wicketkeeper Sanju Samson have already failed the Yo-Yo test carried out a few days ago. Shami failed to make it to squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan while Samson missed the India ‘A’ team’s tour to England.

The Indian team has set a standard parameter of clearing the Yo-Yo test which gives a measure of a player’s endurance and fitness. The current benchmark is 16.1 for the India senior team and A team. The team management is expected to discuss the outcome with the national selectors who were present here before taking a final call. First to turn up for the Yo-Yo tests were captain Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ambati Rayudu. The tests were carried at the ‘B’ ground in the NCA.

Kohli, who had to cancel his County stint with Surrey due to a neck injury sustained during the IPL, cleared the test. He looked at ease as he went about the drill under the watchful eyes of physio Patrick Farhart, trainer Shankar Basu and other support staff.

After finishing his drills and interacting with his teammates, the skipper signed a sheet (possibly the results). Also spotted taking the test were Suresh Raina, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Siddarth Kaul, Yuzvendra Chahal and Manish Pandey.