Six Indian cricketers fail to clear BCCI’s 2-km run fitness test

The fitness tests conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have hogged the limelight in quite a few instances. Earlier, a number of Indian cricketers were reported to have strained to clear the yo-yo test. This time around, the world’s richest cricket board has introduced a new 2-km run fitness test.

And as per reports, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, the two wicketkeeper-batsman, Rahul Tewatia, the spin-bowling all-rounder, Nitish Rana, the left-handed batsman, and fast bowlers Siddarth Kaul and Jaydev Unadkat have failed to clear the test.

The test was introduced by the BCCI this week at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. However, the players, who couldn’t pass the test, will be getting another chance to make amends. In case they couldn’t pass, then their participation in the upcoming ODIs and T20Is against England will come under the clouds.

Around 20-odd cricketers took part in BCCI’s new fitness test

“Since this is a new type of a fitness test, they will all get a second chance to clear it at a fresh date, after some gap. However, if they fail to clear it, then it puts their selection for the forthcoming white-ball series comprising five T20Is and three ODIs against England at home in doubt,” a source told to TOI.

The BCCI is well aware of the amount of cricket for Team India in the upcoming months. Bearing in mind the same, the Indian board is focussing on the fitness of the cricketers.

“A few fitness tests were conducted for around 20-odd cricketers who are in the reckoning for the limited-overs series against England at home, and for the T20 World Cup in India later this year. Among these tests was the now-famous yo-yo test and the new ‘2km run’ fitness test.

“In this test, a batsman, wicketkeeper, or a spinner has to complete the two-kilometre distance in eight minutes and 30 seconds, while for a fast bowler, the benchmark is eight minutes and 15 seconds. Six of the players failed to clear these tests. Some players barely managed to complete the run,” the source added.

As per sources, the new test also got green signals from head coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli. The Indian team is currently busy playing in the four-match Test series against England at home.