“A Lot Of Legends Would’ve Failed Yo-Yo Test”: Virender Sehwag’s Bold Comment

Yet again, subsequent to expressing that weightlifting practices assume a significant part in physical issues of the players nowadays, previous India opener Virender Sehwag has offered a frightening remark in regards to the Yo-Yo test. 

The Yo-Yo test and the Dexa (bone scan test) test were recently reinstated as required selection procedures by the BCCI. Sehwag made a dig at the management by stating that many legendary players would not have been a part of Team India if the Yo-Yo test had been required at the time.

The meeting that had been pending since India’s exit from the T20 World Cup semi-finals was finally held on Sunday by the Board of Cricket Council of India (BCCI)

The board decided, following the meeting, to include the Yo-Yo fitness test once more as one of the selection criteria for the Indian cricket team. Jay Shah, president Roger Binny, captain Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul Dravid, NCA chief VVS Laxman, and selector Chetan Sharma attended the meeting.

Running at increasing speeds between markers 20 meters apart in the Yo-Yo test is an endurance fitness test. The test was presented when Virat Kohli had the reins of the Indian cricket crew at first had a passing score of 16.1 and was subsequently expanded to 16.5.

Dexa, a bone scan test, is now a part of the selection criteria in addition to the Yo-Yo test.

The meeting also made important decisions about the Indian cricket team’s future and decided that emerging players who want to play white ball cricket over red ball cricket for IPL riches will have to play a “substantial domestic season” to be eligible for national selection.

“There was a trend in the Indian team that if you fail the Yo-Yo test, you won’t get a chance. If this was the case during our time, then a lot of legendary players wouldn’t have been part of the team because they would have failed the Yo-Yo test,”

Sehwag told News18.

“During that time, focus was on skills. Who will win you matches: One who performs well or the one who runs better? If you want good runners, then have them run marathons, no need to play cricket. That’s what I believe,”

he added.

In addition, Sehwag stated that players should concentrate on their skills rather than weightlifting in the gym because doing so may result in injuries.

“Time has changed. During our time, the focus was on practicing and improving skills be it fielding, bowling or batting. Gym may help me in improving my career span and it’s important but it’s different for everyone. If the body permits weightlifting, then do it. But if you have concerns, be it back issue, knee problem, then there should be a limit. Skill is more important,”

said Sehwag.

Sehwag previously disclosed that he was approached in 2017 to apply for the position of India coach to succeed Anil Kumble. He claimed that BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary and India captain Virat Kohli had approached him at the time.

“I wouldn’t have applied if Virat Kohli and then BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary hadn’t approached me. We had a meeting, and he (Choudhary) told me that things weren’t working out between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble. We want you to take the coaching position. He told me that Kumble’s contract will expire after the Champions Trophy in 2017 and then you can travel to the West Indies with the team,”

said Sehwag.

“I didn’t say yes or no, but I said if I travel to West Indies, I would want my coaching staff, the assistant coach, bowling coach, batting coach and the fielding coach. I want my own choice for the support staff and I didn’t get that choice so I didn’t travel to West Indies,”

he added.

After the World Cup rout, the whole choice board of the Indian cricket crew was sacked. However, the meeting was attended by Chetan Sharma, a panel member who was fired. Together with Harvinder Singh, another ex-panel member, he has submitted a new application for the position.

During the meeting, the plan for hosting the World Cup in 2023 at home was also discussed.

“The issues of player availability, workload management, and fitness parameters were also discussed at length during the meeting along with the roadmap to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023,”

the statement read.

The wellness level of the Indian players became exposed after their conflicting execution of the players. Jasprit Bumrah and other crucial players have been absent from the team for some time.

“I didn’t say yes or no, but I said if I travel to West Indies, I would want my coaching staff, the assistant coach, bowling coach, batting coach and the fielding coach. I want my own choice for the support staff and I didn’t get that choice so I didn’t travel to West Indies,”

he added.