Ambati Rayudu’s exclusion because of yo-yo test was unfair, says Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir has stated that Ambati Rayudu’s exclusion from the Indian squad, for the tour of Ireland and England, because of the yo-yo test failure was not fair considering his performances in this year’s IPL. Gambhir added that Rayudu should have been given some time to improve.
Rayudu, who scored his maiden IPL hundred against the Sunrisers Hyderabad this year, had a great season for the Chennai Super Kings and was among the top run-scorers of the tournament scoring 602 runs at an average of 43.00 in 16 matches. Considering these performances, Rayudu was picked in the Indian squad for the United Kingdom tour. However, the decision was subject to the former Mumbai Indians player clearing the fitness test (yo-yo test). With an increase in the importance of the fitness levels, Rayudu was dropped from the Indian squad as he failed to clear the benchmark score (16.1).
In an interview, Gambhir stated that Rayudu’s exclusion from the Indian squad was completely unfair considering his performances in this year’s Indian Premier League. He said that the topmost priority should be a player’s performance and what he/she has done in the field
“I feel it’s the management’s and the trainer’s responsibility to work on the fitness levels. Rayudu shouldn’t have been dropped from the squad just because of not clearing the yo-yo test. The most important thing for a batsman is to score runs and if he/she is being dropped because of such a thing then I feel it is unfair. Rayudu should have been given a chance to work with the trainer and improve,” Gambhir told Aaj Tak.
Gambhir further said that a trainer should be there to improve the fitness level of an unfit player or improve the level of the players who are at par. He felt that there was no point of a trainer being there just to check the yo-yo test scores and selecting fit players.
“The team management should really think about the role of a fitness trainer. He (trainer) should be there to work with an unfit player or improve the level of the players who are at par. A trainer just cannot be there to check the yo-yo test scores or select fit players as it is ultimately the game of cricket,” he added.
Speaking of Rayudu, Gambhir felt that the 32-year-old batsman could have made a difference for the Indian side in the recently concluded ODI series against England. He stated that Rayudu’s decision (of not giving the yo-yo test again) is valid as the fitness test should not be the number one criteria to get selected. He concluded by stating that Rayudu might not get this opportunity again considering his age.
“I think Rayudu could have made a difference in the ODI series. We never know as anything can happen in this game. His anger and decision of not giving the yo-yo test again
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