What is the Yo-Yo fitness Test?

Yuvraj Singh’s absence in the squad announced for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka raised questions not only about his future in the Indian team but majorly the queries were to understand why he was left out. The biggest reason now for most reasons to be dropped from the Indian team is either poor performance or fitness, and it is still not clear which is the bigger factor.

While people are still confused as to whether Yuvraj was dropped or rested, the reason is clear. He failed to clear the ‘Yo-Yo’ endurance test at the National Cricket Academy, and along with him, even Suresh Raina failed to make the cut.

Over the years, fitness has become a significant aspect for the selection of players in the Indian squad as well as the playing XI. The Indian team takes fitness very seriously and undergo a series of tests to keep themselves up to the mark. The ‘Yo-Yo’ test is an advanced version of the ‘beep’ test that was used by teams of earlier generations.

The current Indian team is considered to be the fittest by a fair distance. It has been reported that for the current Indian team, the acceptable ‘Yo-Yo’ score is 19.5 and upwards. It was reported that both Yuvraj and Suresh Raina scored well below the permissible level of 19.5 and that was the biggest reason for the ouster.

Watch how it’s done:

Below are video demonstrations for a better understanding of what every aspiring cricketer must understand if they dreams of making it to the Indian squad with increasing standards of fitness.

The entire process is software-based. It starts with cones being 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. The player continues running between the two lines, turning when signalled by the recorded beeps.

After each minute, the speed gets faster. If the player misses the target once, he must run to the line turn and try to catch up with the pace within two more ‘beeps’. The test is called off if the player fails to catch up with the pace within the two ends.