Indian coach Ravi Shastri has defended the Yo-Yo test which has been made mandatory by the BCCI for all players to pass in order to get selected for the national squad.
The test has come under some criticism with players who are in form like Ambati Rayudu and Sanju Samson being dropped from the national team and the A squads respectively after they failed to reach the minimum mark of 16.1 which is required in order to clear the test.
Before the Indian squad departed for the long tour of England, Shastri addressing the media said, “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 further added, “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.”
Captain Virat Kohli also backed Shastri’s sentiments, saying, “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. 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.”
