Gautam Gambhir's support staff member accused of creating difficulty for players: 'Could lead to injuries...'

India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir's support staff member Adrian le Roux will create difficulty for the players, claimed the legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ravichandran Ashwin said that the introduction of the Bronco test in Indian cricket with the arrival of the new strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux, will make things hard for players and could even cause injuries.

Bronco Test introduced in Indian cricket

According to reports in the Indian Express, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced the Bronco Test as a new fitness benchmark for Indian cricketers.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

This has been done after Adrian le Roux replaced Soham Desai as the strength and conditioning coach, under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir.

The Bronco Test will complement the existing Yo-Yo test and 2-kilometre time trial to assess the fitness of the players, especially focusing on endurance and cardiovascular health.

The Bronco Test is a high-intensity aerobic endurance test originally designed for rugby and involves shuttle runs over 20 metres, 40 metres, and 60 metres.

One set includes running all three distances, then the player repeats the set five times continuously, totaling 1,200 metres with no rest. All the players need to complete the test within six minutes.

Notably, the reason behind the changes to the fitness benchmark has been the subpar fitness levels of some Indian pacers that were observed by coaches during the England tour.

The trainer changes, the training schemes change - Ravichandran Ashwin warns Gautam Gambhir

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ravichandran Ashwin warned head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying that the changes in training schemes will be difficult for players and some could also get injured.

“I have always asked the trainers. When the trainers change, the testing mechanism changes. The trainer changes, the training schemes change. When this happens, players go through a lot of difficulty. As a player, if you keep changing training schemes, it is virtually very difficult for the players. In many cases, it could also lead to injuries. I am not denying that, it has led to injuries,” said Ravichandran Ashwin.

"From 2017 to 2019, I was searching for my training scheme. I have endured this. Soham Desai knows all about this,” Ravichandran Ashwin added.

I just want to raise some questions - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin further urged the BCCI to maintain continuity regarding fitness tests and called for the proper training of the new strength and conditioning coach under the outgoing one before giving a permanent role.

“I just want to raise some questions. As a player, the problem is one of continuity. I would really like some continuity. It is important to give that. I would just want that whenever a new trainer comes in, he should work with the outgoing trainer for six months to one year to give the handover,” said Ravichandran Ashwin.

“It is important to address this issue. India has all the money and the means. This continuity needs to be bridged. As a wrap-up thought, I would just say that there is no need to change something that is working. If something is working, then it needs to be discussed and then changed” Ravichandran Ashwin added.

Also Read: BCCI finally issues statement on Hardik Pandya being attacked by Rohit Sharma fans