Ravi Shastri insists Yo-Yo test is not something to be compromised

Ravi Shastri insists Yo-Yo test is not something to be compromised

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Ravi Shastri has adamantly defended the Yo-Yo test stating that it is here to stay and it is not something that any players or board members should compromise. Virat Kohli pointed out that the test has been a proof of stamina and endurance and has made a massive difference in the player's fitness.

There has been a huge hype surrounding the YoYo test, a mandatory parameter set by the Indian team management for a place in the national team. The recent instances of players failing fitness tests and being subsequently left out of the national squad has only proved how serious BCCI has been about it. A day before the Indian cricket team leaves for a two-month long tour of England, Shastri, a strong supporter of the fitness test, announced that the YoYo Test was not something that is to be compromised on and that the practice is indeed the way forward for Indian cricket.

"I think it's a combination of both ability and fitness. If you are fit, you can enhance that ability. That is one thing that has been emphasized on while designing the YoYo fitness test. And it is here to stay. Whoever thinks it's a one off thing, he is sadly mistaken and that person can take a walk," Shastri said, while addressing the media as quoted by TOI on Friday.

Agreeing with his coach, skipper Virat Kohli gave example of Jasprit Bumrah, who had good debut tour of South Africa picking up 14 wickets in 3 Test matches. He pointed out the Yo-Yo test parameter has pushed the fitness of players to a different level and has been a proof of endurance and stamina.

"People might not be able to see a small thing that happens when you play a particular Test match but I think that makes a massive difference," Kohli said.

"We are a team that wants to travel well. Jasprit Bumrah was bowling 144 kmph in his last spell during the final Test. That's when one's fitness comes in. When you have people who are fit, hungry and ready, then you are not only competing but also winning matches," the skipper added.

The benchmark of the fitness test has been set at a minimum 16.1 by the management. However, Indian team’s parameter for the test has been the lowest when compared to other playing nations in world cricket such as England and New Zealand, who have set the bar at 19. According to reports, the management wants to raise the Yo-Yo bar from 16.1 to 16.3, a decision that came from Shastri himself.

Mohammed Shami was left out of the side and three days prior to that, Sanju Samson was dropped from the India A team. The biggest surprise exclusion was that Ambati Rayudu, who failed to attain the required parameters. It is learnt that Rayudu, who had a major role in Chennai Super Kings' victorious IPL campaign scoring over 600 runs in the edition, performed well below-par in the range of 14. 

"The philosophy is simple. You pass the test, you play. You don't, you sit. So this is not going to go anywhere. The captain leads from the front, the selectors the management are on the same page. And the boys have responded extremely well," added Shastri.

Kohli also mentioned that the team is taking the confidence of winning the third Test and South Africa and subsequently the ODIs and T20Is and plan on carrying the same mindset forward in England. Kohli chipped in on the debate of international teams not being great travellers anymore, with almost all teams often struggling to adapt to conditions abroad. 

"When we were playing the Test series in South Africa after a couple of Tests, people really though that we were outplayed. But then we won the third Test, and the limited-overs leg. It was then that people understood how well we played in that series," the Indian captain said.

Shastri also weighed in on the topic, pointing out that for the team, it is more about playing the surfaces as compared to their opponents.

"Every series is important and for us there is no away game; every game is a home game because we don't play the opponent. We play the pitch. Our job is to conquer pitches, wherever you go - Mumbai, Delhi or London. It is those 22 yards that we have to try and conquer. Like every touring side, we have to adapt to conditions too. It's not a question of where you're playing," he said.

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