The Board of Control for Cricket in India has introduced the rugby-inspired Bronco Test for all its players to select the Indian team based on fitness. Although fitness standards in the Indian team have always been high over the last few decades, former cricketer Manoj Tiwary believes that some of the senior players in the team will not be able to meet the fitness criteria set by the Bronco Test.
During an exclusive conversation with CricTracker, Tiwary shared his candid opinion on senior cricketer and ODI team captain Rohit Sharma. Tiwary believes that Rohit will not be able to pass the Bronco test as he does not give much importance to his physical fitness.
He further said that the BCCI has introduced this test to oust Rohit from the team, which will shatter his dream of playing the 2027 World Cup.
Manoj said in an exclusive interview with Crictracker
Tiwari told Crictracker, “I think it will be very difficult to keep Virat Kohli out of the 2027 World Cup plans. But I doubt they will include Rohit Sharma in their plan because… Look, I observe the goings on in Indian cricket very closely. And I believe this bronco test, which was introduced a few days ago, is for players like Rohit Sharma and those who do not want to be part of the team in the future. And that is why it has been introduced.”
Who did Manoj choose for ODI captaincy after Rohit Sharma?
“After Rohit Sharma, obviously, I would name Shreyas Iyer, because the way he has led, wherever he has led in franchise cricket, I have not seen him in first-class cricket, but he has won trophies in domestic cricket for Mumbai as well. But when I was doing commentary, where I have seen Shreyas Iyer as a captain, and when you see he is one of those captains who leads from the front, he scores a lot of runs, and he takes great decisions on the field, which is important for a good captain, and he does it with good success, as we have seen in his tenure with KKR.” Manoj Tiwary said
FAQ
Why was Rohit Sharma excluded from the team?
Rohit Sharma was reportedly excluded following a Bronco test. Some former cricketers have questioned the fairness of this decision.
What is the Bronco test?
The Bronco test is a fitness assessment used by cricket boards to evaluate a player’s endurance, agility, and stamina.
Who criticized Rohit’s exclusion?
A former Indian cricketer publicly stated that the Bronco test was used unfairly to exclude Rohit from the squad.
Has Rohit Sharma responded to the criticism?
As of now, Rohit Sharma has not publicly commented on the controversy surrounding his exclusion.
What impact does this have on team selection debates?
The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about fairness, fitness criteria, and transparency in selecting players for the national team.