Yo-Yo test and understanding the need for balance

The Yo-Yo test has emerged as the new dreaded term in cricket. A player might make five successive centuries, claim an equal number of eight-wicket hauls but the harsh reality is that if he fails the Yo-Yo fitness test, he won’t be picked in the Indian team.

Yo-Yo test: Changing the dynamics of selection

The Yo-Yo changes the dynamics of selection, altering the manner we judge our cricketers. It also throws up some interesting questions, primarily reopening the fitness versus talent debate and the compelling need to find the right balance.

To tell the truth, many legends of Indian cricket — there will be exceptions such as the super-fit Kapil Dev — would not have cleared Yo-Yo test comfortably as it stands. Yet, they were exceptionally skilled, winning several games for India.

Understanding how it works

What then is Yo-Yo? Simply put, it is endurance training that includes bursts of velocity; a variation of the beep method and a maximal running aerobatic fitness test. Introduced by current Indian strength and fitness conditioning coach Shankar Basu, it was made mandatory for all India cricketers.

In Yo-Yo, two sets of cones are placed 20m apart, creating two lines. The players have to run between the lines as the beep starts and turn once the beep becomes silent. The pace of the beep increases after every minute so does the speed of the cricketers; those who do not make the line on time will have to contend with more beeps. It’s a gruelling, exhausting experience.

The BCCI has set 16.1 as the benchmark score to clear Yo-Yo. Soon, we could have the bar raised to 17.5. In countries such as Australia, the mark is around an astonishing 20.

Already Yo-Yo has thrown up some interesting results. Suresh Raina, who can be electric on the field, failed while Ashish Nehra considered a liability with regards to fielding all through his career, cleared the test. Some would say Nehra has stamina even if he is lacking in flexibility while Raina is not as fit as he once was.

The Yo-Yo is a lot about pacing yourself through the ordeal. There are cricketers who run too fast initially tend to tire out as the test nears conclusion.