This is why Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina were dropped from Team India for Sri Lanka ODIs
- Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina were dropped from the ODI team against Sri Lanka
- Both veteran players failed the 'Yo-Yo' endurance test a series of fitness tests the Indian team regularly undergoes
- While the permissible level for the test is 21 and above, both Yuvraj Singh and Raina scored well below the permissible level of 19.5 with Yuvraj barely managing to touch 16
FollowWhile many were upset with the selectors over the fact that Yuvraj Singh was dropped from the ODI team against Sri Lanka, the primary reason for such a decision was his failure to clear the 'Yo-Yo' endurance test at the National Cricket Academy.
The Indian team regularly undergoes a series of fitness tests with 'Yo-Yo' endurance test being the most important of them.
Suresh Raina too failed to clear the test and both the players’ fitness issues will keep them out of international cricket.
According to reports, for the current Indian team, the acceptable ‘Yo-Yo’ score is 19.5 and upwards. Captain Virat Kohli, one of the fittest Indian cricketers, scores around 21 in the test.
“The current team think tank, coach Ravi Shastri, skipper Virat Kohli and chairman of selectors MSK Prasad have made it clear that fitness standards are non-negotiable. On an average, the Australian cricketers score 21 in Yo-Yo test. Here Virat, Ravindra Jadeja, Manish Pandey regularly hit that score while others are either touching 19.5 or is hitting above that score,” a BCCI official told PTI.
However, both Yuvraj Singh and Raina scored well below the permissible level of 19.5 with Yuvraj barely managing to touch 16, which was the biggest reason for his ouster.
"In an earlier era, when the traditional beep test was in vogue, the Indian players of the 1990's would have scored around 16 to 16.5 barring a few like Mohammed Azharuddin, Robin Singh or Ajay Jadeja. But now it's different as the skipper himself is hitting the benchmark, which the Australian cricket team sets it," the official added.
Yo-Yo test
Cones are placed to mark out two lines 20 meters apart. A player starts with his foot behind one of the lines, and begins running when instructed. Player continues running between the two lines, turning when signalled by the recorded beeps.
After each minute or so, the pace gets quicker. If the line is not reached in time, the player must run to the line turn and try to catch up with the pace within two more 'beeps'. The test is stopped if the player fails to catch up with the pace within the two ends.
(With inputs from PTI)
