Fitness has become non-negotiable in modern cricket, and especially for the Indian team. With players competing across formats and back-to-back tournaments, teams are looking for athletes who can recover quickly, sustain energy, and perform at their peak for a long time. For years, the Yo-Yo Test has been the gold standard for Team India's fitness evaluation. However, under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, India has introduced the Bronco Test, a rugby-style endurance drill for player fitness assessment. However, since the introduction, many have questioned which test is tougher, the Yo-Yo Test or the Bronco Test.
The Yo-Yo Test was introduced to Indian cricket in 2017 during Anil Kumble's tenure as coach and soon became a selection benchmark under Virat Kohli's captaincy. The assessment is based on interval running and recovery, designed to replicate the short bursts of action in cricket.
In this test, players shuttle between two cones placed 20 metres apart, running to the sound of beeps that get progressively faster. After each 40-metre run, they get a 10-second recovery period. A minimum score of 16.1 is mandatory for Indian cricketers, though teams like New Zealand demand levels as high as 20.1.