Indian cricket is no stranger to fitness benchmarks—remember the Yo-Yo test? Now, a new hurdle is making waves in the national setup: the Bronco test. Introduced under the supervision of India’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux, the Bronco test is a grueling fitness assessment that has sparked major speculation, especially from former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary.
According to Tiwary, this test might not just be about fitness—it could have deeper implications for the future of ODI captain Rohit Sharma.
What Is the Bronco Test?
The Bronco test is an aerobic running challenge that includes five sets of shuttle runs across 60m, 40m, and 20m distances—repeated for a total of 1200 meters. The aim is to complete the test as quickly as possible. Originally popularized in rugby, it’s now being used to push the endurance and stamina levels of cricketers.
While it’s being positioned as a standard for elite-level fitness, the timing and sudden introduction of the test have raised eyebrows.
Tiwary’s Concerns: Is Rohit Sharma Being Targeted?
Manoj Tiwary, in a recent interview with CricTracker, openly questioned the motive behind the Bronco test’s introduction. He hinted that the test might be part of a larger strategy to ease Rohit Sharma out of the 50-over format, even though the star opener has retired from T20Is and Tests and remains committed to playing the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Tiwary remarked:
“I think it will be very difficult to keep Virat Kohli out of the plans for the 2027 World Cup. But I have a doubt that they are going to look at Rohit Sharma into the scheme of things.”
He further pointed out the questionable timing:
“Why now? Why not when your new head coach got the assignment from the very first series? Whose idea is it? Who enforced this Bronco Test a few days back?”
Drawing a parallel with the past, Tiwary recalled how the Yo-Yo test was introduced soon after India’s 2011 World Cup triumph—an era that saw legends like Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, and Virender Sehwag gradually phased out despite strong performances.
“So a lot of things that go behind the scenes. And this is my observation. Let’s see what happens. The future will definitely give me answers.”
Rohit Sharma’s ODI Form Still Speaks Volumes
Despite fitness-related concerns, Rohit Sharma’s on-field performance in ODIs remains elite. Since 2023, he has amassed 1714 runs in 38 ODIs, averaging 48.97 with a strike rate of 117.2. His dominance in the powerplay is especially notable—he’s the only batter to score over 1000 runs in that phase during this period, averaging 67.41 at a strike rate of 122.57.
These numbers underscore that Rohit is far from slowing down with the bat, even if fitness tests might pose a new challenge.
Final Thoughts:
The introduction of the Bronco test may well be a genuine effort to raise fitness standards across the board. But for observers like Manoj Tiwary—and perhaps many fans—its timing raises valid questions. As Indian cricket gears up for a transition ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, how selectors and management balance fitness with proven performance will be under sharp scrutiny.
