Team India’s preparations for the Asia Cup 2025 have taken an interesting twist. According to reports, the much-talked-about Bronco test was not part of the latest fitness assessments at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), raising questions about when — or if — the players will undergo this demanding drill.
India’s Asia Cup-bound cricketers had assembled at the CoE for routine fitness checks. While many expected the Bronco test — recommended by new strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux — to feature in the assessments, the players instead completed health check-ups and the familiar Yo-Yo test.
However, the story doesn’t end there. As reported by TOI, the Bronco test could still be on the cards once the squad lands in the UAE. “It could happen when the squad assembles in Dubai for the Asia Cup. The team will start leaving late tonight (early morning of September 4) and have their first session at ICC Academy on September 5. So if the management and the S&C want to do a Bronco assessment, it could happen in Dubai. If at all it happens,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying.
While the test itself is not mandatory for selection, the BCCI has made it clear that players must demonstrate peak fitness levels, especially after a long lay-off period. The Bronco, a tougher endurance challenge compared to the Yo-Yo, has been used by several international teams to gauge stamina and recovery.
India’s official practice session is set for September 5 in Dubai. The Men in Blue will open their campaign against the hosts UAE before taking on Pakistan and Oman in what promises to be a fiery group stage.
