YoYo test has received immense criticism from the cricket pundits but coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli made their stand clear- “You pass the test, you play for India”.
Recently, Ambati Rayudu failed to clear the test that forced the BCCI to ousted his from the tour. Promising Kerala batsman Sanju Samson also failed the test and he was also out of the India A team.
“You have a certain ability but if you are fit then you can enhance it. That’s why we emphasise on YoYo test. If anyone thinks that this is a one-off thing, he is sadly mistaken. He can take a walk,” Shastri said, before leaving for Ireland.
“Philosophy is simple — you pass you play, you fail, you fail. This is not going to go anywhere. The captain leads from the front, selectors are on same page, entire team management is on the same page and boys have responded tremendously well,” Shastri added.
Kohli supported Shastri and referred an example as to how the YoYo test parameter has been a proof of stamina and endurance for a fast bowler like Jasprit Bumrah.
“People might not be able to see a small thing that happens when you play a particular Test match but I think that makes a massive difference,” Kohli said.
“We are a team that wants to travel well. Jasprit Bumrah was bowling 144 kmph in his last spell during the final Test. That’s when one’s fitness comes in. When you have people who are fit, hungry and ready, then you are not only competing but also winning matches.
“Either you get emotional and let go (chuck) a policy or taking hard calls and moving ahead with the system. All those things have come together nicely and we are looking forward towards playing some real hard cricket. We are looking forward towards playing difficult cricket as that’s the only way we will be able to test ourself as a team,” Kohli added.
