The Indian cricket team has introduced a groundbreaking fitness assessment called the Bronco test, marking a significant evolution in player conditioning ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. India cricket team’s Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coach Adrian Le Roux explained to the members of the Asia Cup squad the need for Bronco test, which was introduced as per his recommendation in addition to the existing Yo-Yo test.
Table of Contents
What is the Bronco Test? Complete Technical Breakdown
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Rugby-based fitness assessment |
| Total Distance | 1,200 meters (5 sets) |
| Time Limit | Under 6 minutes |
| Test Structure | 20m, 40m, 60m shuttle runs |
| Purpose | Dual: Training mechanism + Fitness measurement |
With four markers placed at 0m, 20m, 40m, and 60m, the player who runs, goes from 0m to 60m, back to 0m, to 40m, back to 0m, to 20m, and finally back to 0m– covering a total of 240 m in one set. A total of five sets, i.e, 1,200 m without a break, completes this highly relentless test.
The assessment represents a departure from traditional gym-based fitness evaluations, focusing instead on cricket-specific cardiovascular demands. A player will start with a 20m shuttle run which will be followed by a 40m and a 60m run. Together, it constitutes one set. A player is expected to do five such sets (amounting to 1200 m) without taking a break.
Coach Adrian Le Roux Explains the Two-Fold Purpose
In a video posted by BCCI on social media platforms, the Indian coach explains that the Bronco test isn’t new and it has a two-fold purpose – measurement and its usage as a training mechanism. He said that the assessment provides clarity on the position of players in terms of aerobic fitness and if they are moving in the right direction.
Le Roux emphasized the practical advantages of this rugby-inspired assessment: “The run we did today is Bronco run. It is not a new run or a measurement. It has been around since years in different sporting codes. It is something we introduced in team’s environment. It is two-fold in use: We can use it as a training mechanism, and secondly, as a measurement. We get a good idea of where the players are in terms of their aerobic fitness and if we are moving in the right direction.”
Implementation Timeline and Initial Results
The Indian cricketers went through the new assessment for the first time last week, before their Asia Cup opener against UAE. This strategic timing allowed the coaching staff to evaluate player fitness levels immediately before the tournament’s commencement.
Comparison with Existing Fitness Standards
| Test Type | Duration/Distance | Target Group | Benchmark Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronco Test | 1,200m (5 sets) | All players | Under 6 minutes |
| 2km Time Trial | 2,000m | Fast bowlers | 8 minutes 15 seconds |
| 2km Time Trial | 2,000m | Batsmen/WK/Spinners | 8 minutes 30 seconds |
The report states that the Indian cricketers have been asked to complete the Bronco test in a span of 6 minutes. In the 2-km time trial, the benchmark for fast bowlers was 8 minutes and 15 seconds. For batsmen, wicket-keepers and spinners, it was 8 minutes and 30 seconds.
Strategic Advantages for Modern Cricket
The introduction of the Bronco test reflects the Indian cricket team’s commitment to adapting fitness protocols to match contemporary cricket’s demands. With fitness and strength conditioning being of high importance, the BCCI along with head coach Gautam Gambhir and strength-conditioning coach Adrian le Roux have introduced a new rugby-model fitness test.
Why Rugby-Based Assessment for Cricket?
The Bronco test’s rugby origins provide several advantages for cricket-specific fitness:
- Intermittent High Intensity: Mimics cricket’s stop-start nature
- Multi-directional Movement: Replicates fielding demands
- Cardiovascular Endurance: Tests sustained performance capacity
- Mental Resilience: Challenges players under fatigue
The Bronco Test was originally made for rugby players to raise their aerobic and cardiovascular capacity. This foundation makes it particularly suitable for cricket, where players need sustained energy output across extended playing periods.
Field Applicability and Global Implementation
The S&C coach explained that the Bronco test was a field one which could be taken anywhere across the globe. This portability represents a significant advantage over gym-based assessments, allowing consistent evaluation regardless of location or facility availability.
The flexibility of conducting the test in various environments ensures that fitness monitoring can continue throughout tours, training camps, and tournament preparations without logistical constraints.
Integration with Existing Fitness Protocols
Rather than replacing the established Yo-Yo test, The Bronco Test was introduced for Team India by strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux to provide a new benchmark for fitness assessment. This complementary approach offers coaches multiple data points for comprehensive fitness evaluation.
Enhanced Player Monitoring System
The dual-assessment approach provides:
- Yo-Yo Test: Measures progressive running capacity
- Bronco Test: Evaluates sustained high-intensity performance
- Combined Data: More complete fitness picture
Player Adaptation and Training Response
Team India stars took the Bronco test in Dubai on Saturday, in their second practice session ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. The timing of implementation demonstrates the coaching staff’s confidence in players’ ability to adapt quickly to new assessment protocols.
Early indications suggest positive player response to the new challenge, with the test serving both assessment and motivational purposes within the squad environment.
Impact on Team Selection and Squad Management
The introduction of the Bronco test adds another dimension to team selection criteria. Team India S&C coach Adrian Le Roux details the Bronco Test, a 1200m rugby-inspired fitness drill requiring players to complete it under six minutes.
This stringent time requirement ensures only players meeting elite fitness standards can consistently perform at international level, particularly during high-intensity tournament periods like the Asia Cup.
Future Implications for Indian Cricket
The gruelling 1,200m drill is shaping India’s preparation for modern-day cricket. The Bronco test’s implementation signals a broader shift toward sport-specific fitness protocols that better reflect contemporary cricket’s physical demands.
The success of this assessment could influence fitness standards across domestic cricket, potentially becoming a benchmark for state teams and franchise cricket selection processes.
Scientific Foundation and Measurable Outcomes
The rugby origins of the Bronco test provide a solid scientific foundation for cricket application. The test’s ability to measure both aerobic capacity and anaerobic threshold makes it particularly valuable for cricket, where players need both sustained endurance and explosive power.
By requiring completion within six minutes, the test ensures players can maintain high-intensity performance throughout critical match phases, from power play overs to final session fielding demands.
Global Cricket Fitness Evolution
India’s adoption of the Bronco test positions the team at the forefront of cricket fitness innovation. In a recent development, ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian team will reportedly be undergoing the Bronco test, which is a rugby-centric test that will focus on the fitness of the players ahead of some major assignments.
This progressive approach to fitness assessment could influence international cricket standards, with other national teams potentially adopting similar multi-sport fitness protocols to enhance player conditioning.
Read More: Injury Blow for Man United as Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount to Miss Manchester Derby
FAQs
What exactly is the Bronco test used by the Indian cricket team?
The Bronco test is a rugby-inspired fitness assessment requiring players to complete five sets of shuttle runs (20m, 40m, 60m) covering 1,200 meters total distance without breaks, to be finished under 6 minutes.
Why did the Indian cricket team introduce the Bronco test alongside the Yo-Yo test?
Coach Adrian Le Roux introduced it for dual purposes: as a training mechanism and fitness measurement tool that provides better insight into players’ aerobic fitness and cardiovascular capacity for modern cricket demands.
How does the Bronco test differ from traditional cricket fitness assessments?
Unlike gym-based tests, the Bronco test is field-based, portable, and focuses on sustained high-intensity performance that better mimics cricket’s intermittent demands compared to standard running tests.
What are the time requirements for the Bronco test compared to other fitness tests?
The Bronco test must be completed under 6 minutes for 1,200m, while the traditional 2km time trial requires 8:15 for fast bowlers and 8:30 for batsmen/wicket-keepers/spinners.
Will other cricket teams adopt the Bronco test following India’s implementation?
While not confirmed, India’s progressive approach to fitness assessment could influence international cricket standards, with the test’s rugby origins and field applicability making it attractive for other national teams.
