What is Bronco Test? The rugby-style fitness test for Team India explained

Mumbai: The Indian cricket team has introduced the Bronco Test as a new fitness benchmark, especially for fast bowlers, to improve aerobic capacity and endurance. The test, suggested by the team’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux and supported by head coach Gautam Gambhir, was brought in after the recent Test series in England revealed fitness concerns, particularly among the pace bowlers.

The Bronco Test is a rugby-centric fitness drill involving multiple shuttle runs of 20, 40, and 60 meters, constituting one set. Players are required to complete five such continuous sets, totalling 1,200 meters, without breaks, and must finish the entire test within six minutes.

As per reports, some contracted Indian players have already undergone the Bronco Test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The test adds to existing fitness assessments, including the Yo-Yo Test and a 2-kilometre time trial, aiming to ensure players focus more on running and match-like endurance rather than solely gym workouts.

Benchmarks have been set for various player roles: fast bowlers need to complete a 2-km run within 8 minutes 15 seconds, while batsmen, wicketkeepers, and spinners have a slightly higher time limit. The minimum Yo-Yo test level has been set at 17.1.

The introduction of the Bronco Test marks a more rigorous and endurance-focused approach to player fitness, addressing the need for sustained performance in longer formats of the game.