What is the Bronco test for Team India ahead of the Asia Cup?

A new fitness assessment has been introduced in Indian cricket — the Bronco test — which will now play a key role in conditioning assessments. The move has been backed strongly by Team India’s strength and conditioning coach, Adrian le Roux, and approved by head coach Gautam Gambhir. The test is designed to build the stamina, endurance, and overall fitness levels of players.

Reports suggest that the Bronco test is already in use since the recent Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy in England, where players like Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, KL Rahul, and others went through it. Inspired by rugby, the test primarily focuses on improving endurance and mental resilience.

The structure of the Bronco test involves shuttle runs. Markers are placed at 0m, 20m, 40m, and 60m. Athletes run 20m and back, 40m and back, and finally 60m and back without pausing. This sequence makes up one set. Completing five sets back-to-back adds up to 1,200m (1.2 km). The target is to finish the distance as quickly as possible, with recorded timings reflecting a player’s fitness. Faster runs indicate stronger Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) — the minimum speed where maximum oxygen uptake is achieved.

For Indian cricketers, this new standard is expected to help coaches assess the exact demands required of bowlers, batters, and fielders during a match. It will also serve as a selection parameter, with players expected to meet required benchmarks to be considered for the national team. Whether this move ultimately improves on-field performance will only be revealed with time.

Team India is currently preparing for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025

Meanwhile, attention now shifts to the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, where India enters as one of the tournament favourites with a strong 15-member squad. However, fans have expressed disappointment over the non-selection of Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

Despite those concerns, the squad remains one of the most formidable in the competition. India has been placed in Group A alongside hosts UAE, arch-rivals Pakistan, and Oman. Under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, they will play while Gill has made a return to the T20I setup, that too as the vice-captain.

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