Team India’s head coach Ravi Shastri has given a strong statement on the Yo-Yo fitness test which has currently become the prime parameter for a cricketer to confirm his place in the national squad.
Ahead of the much-awaited India's tour to England, Shastri along with skipper Virat Kohli addressed the media. On being asked about the standards of Yo-Yo test, Shastri gave a straight forward answer and said, “The philosophy is simple. You pass, you play. You fail, you sail.”
“It [Yo-Yo test] is a combination of fitness and performance. If you are fit, you can enhance your abilities. That’s why we emphasise on this test.”
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Shastri also went on to slam those who might take it as a 'one-off thing'. He said, “If any body things this test is a one-off thing, he is sadly mistaken. He can take a walk.”
“The captain leads from the front, the selectors are on the same page, the entire team management in the same page and the boys have responded extremely well,” added Shastri.
Shastri eventually made it clear that the key for any player to get into the Indian dressing room is his fitness and to prove it, he has to pass the Yo-Yo test.
This test recently became a big reason of the ousting of several players from the Indian squad including Ambati Rayudu.
Though he enjoyed the purple-patch in the recently concluded season of IPL, he was dropped from the ODI squad against England after failing the fitness test. He has been replaced by Suresh Raina.