The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has officially introduced the Bronco Test as the new fitness test for cricket in India, find out more about it below
The Bronco test is an endurance-driven drill, originally used in rugby, and measures stamina, speed, and mental toughness through continuous running.
What is the Bronco Test in cricket introduced by the BCCI? Rules, meaning and format explained
🚨 BRONCO TEST IN INDIAN CRICKET 🚨
– Bronco Tests for a players start off with a 20m shuttle run followed by a 40m one & 60m run in the first set – Player need to do 5 such sets which adds up to 1200m without taking rest, ask to complete in 6 min 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/ZFeLYei0f3
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) August 22, 2025
🚨 BRONCO TEST UPDATE 🚨
The maximum time allotted to complete 5 sets was 6 minutes. Rohit Sharma took approximately 5 minutes and 15–20 seconds to finish, which clearly reflects his high level of strength.🔥 pic.twitter.com/J5yEB8vmqn
— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) August 31, 2025
Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and Strength and Conditioning Coach Adrian le Roux are currently spearheading the move as part of the team’s new training regime.
BCCI set to introduce Bronco Test
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen the Bronco Test as a new benchmark for fitness in Indian cricket. The test is designed to push players beyond their comfort zone and measures stamina, speed, and endurance in a continuous, high-intensity running drill.
Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and Strength and Conditioning Coach Adrian le Roux are currently leading the initiative, and it is expected to replace gym-heavy routines with more game-specific assessments of fitness. Unlike traditional gym routines, the test focuses on game-specific endurance and makes it particularly relevant for fast bowlers and fielders. As fitness becomes a non-negotiable selection parameter, the Bronco Test will now serve as part of Indian cricket’s upcoming training blueprint.
Bronco Test format
The Bronco Test, which originally became popular in rugby, is a tough but straightforward running drill that features the following:
- Three markers are placed at 20 meters, 40 metres, and 60 metres from the starting line.
- One set consists of the following:
- Sprint to the 20-meter marker and return.
- Sprint to the 40-meter marker and return.
- Sprint to the 60-meter marker and return.
- Players must repeat this sequence five times without stopping.
- The total distance covered is 1,200 meters.
- The key measure is the time taken—the fitter the player, the faster they complete it.
Reasons behind BCCI enforcing the Bronco Test
Given below are the reasons behind why the BCCI has enforced the Bronco Test:
- Game-specific stamina and endurance
The Bronco Test replicates the same stop-start and high-intensity demands of cricket far better than standard fitness checks. For instance, fast bowlers need sustained endurance to bowl 20 overs in a day while maintaining speed, rhythm, and control, and the Bronco test ensures that they can do so without fatigue.
- Concerns over bowlers’ fitness
The Bronco Test addresses the imbalance of many players focusing excessively on gym strength training while neglecting running-based stamina work. The test forces players to build cardiovascular endurance and running capacity, which are essential for long-format cricket.
- Setting higher fitness standards
The BCCI hopes to raise the bar of fitness standards in Indian cricket by setting clear, non-negotiable benchmarks. According to reports, the cut-off time for Indian players will be under six minutes for the 1,200-meter run. Only players who meet this standard are likely to make the squad, reinforcing fitness as a mandatory selection criterion.
- Testing mental toughness
The Bronco Test will measure the grit of players besides pushing physical effort. The test features no rest between sprints, and players keep pushing even when fatigue kicks in. Cricket often requires the same resilience and players will now be able to train for the same by undergoing the test.
