Why star cricketers including Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul did not undergo Yo-Yo Test?

Ahead of the crucial Asia Cup 2023, Team India is camping near the National Cricket Academy in the Alur grounds of Bengaluru. The training camp has seen a rigorous fitness programme being imposed on the players. Notably, the players have also undergone the fitness test called the Yo-Yo Test ahead of the continental competition. Scores of some star cricketers like Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill have also been made public. The Indian Cricket Board expects a minimum score of 16.5 from its players to ensure desired fitness levels.

However, a few players have also been exempted from the test. This includes five stars – Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna. As reported, KL Rahul has just returned from injury and is still carrying a niggle. As such, the board decided against putting his fitness to further stress with a demanding drill like the Yo-Yo Test.

Yo-Yo Test not a frequent necessity for active players

At the same time, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna have also returned from injury in the preceding tour of Ireland. Since they have already proven they’re match-fit in the recently concluded series, they have been exempted from the test as well. Moreover, the Board would want them to steer clear of the unwanted physical stress of a fitness test right now. The case of Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma is pretty simple. Both were a part of the Ireland series and cricketers do not need such frequent fitness tests. They have already looked at prime fitness in the recently concluded series.

Talking of the Asia Cup 2023, the continental competition will be conducted in the 50-over format this year. It will be held in a hybrid model, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The competition kicks off with the opener scheduled for August 30 in Multan, Pakistan. It would see hosts Pakistan square off against Afghanistan. At the same time, Team India will kick start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2 in Kandy, Sri Lanka.