AB de Villiers has lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for introducing the Bronco Test. The fitness assessment test was introduced by Team India’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, who took charge in June after Sohan Desia left.
How the Bronco Test works
Testing aerobic capacity, speed endurance, and mental grit is the main purpose of the Bronco Test. Athletes have to perform shuttle runs of 20 metres, 40 metres, and 60 metres. This totals 240 metres per set, and each athlete has to perform five sets, equalling 1200 metres.
Rohit Sharma-related criticism
Former India batter Manoj Tiwary had criticised the new fitness test, claiming that it was only brought about to ensure Rohit Sharma announces his retirement from cricket before the ODI World Cup 2027.
One can’t attest to whether BCCI’s motive was behind introducing the Bronco Test. But each coach has their own method. Shankar Basu had introduced the Yo-Yo Test in 2017, and even that brought criticism. And now the Bronco Test seems to be suffering the same fate.
Bronco Test, good for Team India
ABD performed the fitness test throughout his career. Since it came about due to Rugby and South Africa being one of the best at the sport, it doesn’t come as a shock that the Proteas used it. “I actually didn’t even know when the team told me about it. I said, ‘What is a Bronco Test?’ But when they explained it to me, I knew exactly what it was. I’ve been doing it ever since I was 16 years old,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
The former South Africa captain stated that the Bronco Test really challenges an athlete. But it has huge merit. That’s why BCCI are right by introducing the fitness assessment.
“Over here in South Africa, we call it the sprint repeatability test. It’s one of the worst (fitness test) you can do. The altitude here is, I think, 1,500 metres above sea level. So, not a lot of oxygen, and those lungs would burn.”
“Great to see India include the Bronco Test in their training. It’s just a lung burner and it’s great for fitness, obviously, but not so enjoyable,” he added.
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