Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has spoken candidly about the Bronco Test, a fitness drill that the BCCI is reportedly planning to introduce for Indian cricketers. He called it one of the toughest assessments athletes can face, recalling how demanding it was during his playing career.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers detailed his familiarity with the test, which focuses on aerobic endurance and recovery ability.
“I actually didn’t even know when the team told me about it. I said, ‘What is a Bronco Test?’ But when they explained it to me, I knew exactly what it was. I’ve been doing it ever since I was 16 years old. Over here in South Africa, we call it the sprint repeat ability test,” he said.
De Villiers Explains the Demands of the Bronco Test
The batting great admitted the drill often left him gasping for breath, especially in challenging conditions.
“It’s one of the worst you can do. I very clearly remember at the University of Pretoria, also at SuperSport Park, in the cold winter mornings of South Africa, in particular, where there’s not a lot of oxygen. The altitude here is, I think, 1,500 meters above sea level. So, not a lot of oxygen, and those lungs would burn,” de Villiers explained.
His remarks highlight how the test pushes athletes to their limits. Widely used in rugby and football, the Bronco Test requires players to run five sets of 20m, 40m, and 60m shuttles, covering a total of 1,200m. The test measures stamina, speed recovery, and endurance levels, offering coaches a clear picture of player fitness.
BCCI’s New Fitness Approach and Ashwin’s Concerns
According to reports, India’s new strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux has included the Bronco Test in the team’s fitness program. It will sit alongside the well-known Yo-Yo test and the 2km time trial, which have been benchmarks for cricketers in recent years.
However, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin voiced caution over sudden changes in training assessments.
“When the trainers change, the testing mechanism changes… players go through a lot of difficulty. In many cases, it could also lead to injuries,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. He emphasized the importance of continuity in fitness routines to protect players from unnecessary strain.
The debate around the Bronco Test shows how modern cricket fitness standards are evolving. While some see it as a necessary tool to match global benchmarks, others worry about the risk of abrupt transitions. With the BCCI reportedly considering its inclusion, players may soon face one of the toughest fitness drills in the world.
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