What Is the Bronco Test? BCCI Introduces a New Fitness Assessment

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly introduced a new fitness assessment for Team India players called the Bronco Test, which is inspired by rugby training exercises. This new test has already stirred discussions in the cricketing world, with former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary claiming that it could be a deliberate attempt to keep senior players, including Rohit Sharma, out of the team. Meanwhile, South African legend AB de Villiers labeled the test as one of the “worst,” reflecting concerns about its intensity and relevance to cricket. Despite such criticisms, the introduction of the Bronco Test highlights the changing demands of modern cricket. Unlike a decade ago, cricket in India now requires players to maintain high levels of endurance, agility, and overall fitness, given the fast-paced nature of T20s, ODIs, and even longer formats, which involve more running, quick reflexes, and sustained concentration.

So, what exactly is the Bronco Test, and how is it conducted? The test involves completing five consecutive shuttle-run sets without rest, covering distances of 20 meters, 40 meters, and 60 meters, amounting to a total distance of 1,200 meters. The challenge lies not only in the distance but also in the time constraint, as players are required to finish all five sets in under six minutes. The process begins with the player standing at the starting baseline (0 meters). The shuttle-run series starts with a sprint to the 20-meter marker and back to the starting point, followed by a sprint to the 40-meter marker and back, and finally a sprint to the 60-meter marker and back. Completing all three distances constitutes a single set, covering 240 meters. The player must repeat this cycle for a total of five sets, after which the total time taken is recorded and evaluated. The absence of rest periods between the sets makes this test particularly demanding, as it continuously challenges the aerobic endurance, stamina, and mental focus of the player.

In comparison, the Yo-Yo test, which has been widely used in Indian cricket for fitness assessments, primarily measures intermittent endurance. The Yo-Yo test involves shuttle runs with short recovery periods between sprints, testing a player’s ability to repeatedly exert energy while maintaining performance after brief rest intervals. On the other hand, the Bronco Test emphasizes continuous exertion, making it more of a pure assessment of sustained aerobic endurance. Unlike the Yo-Yo test, players do not get any breaks or short rests, which makes the Bronco Test a stricter evaluation of overall fitness. While the Yo-Yo test gauges recovery between bursts of activity, the Bronco Test focuses on maintaining high performance over continuous exertion, simulating the kind of endurance required in high-pressure matches where players are expected to run long distances without breaks, whether fielding for extended periods or sprinting between wickets.

The introduction of the Bronco Test also reflects the evolution of cricket training methodologies in India. Modern cricketers are no longer just specialists in batting, bowling, or fielding—they must now maintain peak physical conditioning to meet the demands of multiple formats, hectic international schedules, and fast-paced T20 leagues. Although it has faced criticism from some quarters, the test aims to raise fitness standards and ensure that all players can cope with the physical stresses of contemporary cricket. By adopting a rugby-inspired endurance challenge, the BCCI is essentially signaling that stamina, continuous running ability, and resilience are as critical as skill and technique in today’s cricketing landscape.

In conclusion, the Bronco Test is a rugby-inspired, high-intensity fitness assessment designed to push players to their limits. It requires completing five consecutive shuttle-run sets of 240 meters each, covering 1,200 meters in total, without any rest, within six minutes. It differs significantly from the Yo-Yo test by measuring continuous aerobic endurance rather than intermittent endurance, reflecting the increasing physical demands of modern cricket. While controversial, the Bronco Test represents a shift in fitness culture in Indian cricket, emphasizing that stamina, resilience, and endurance are now as important as technical skill in the sport.