Bronco Test Introduced To Keep Rohit Sharma Out Of ODI Team?

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has expressed concerns that the Bronco test may have been introduced to keep Rohit Sharma, India’s ODI captain, out of the 50-over setup.

Rohit, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, remains eager to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, reports suggest that the team management is considering moving on from him and grooming Shubman Gill as the new ODI captain ahead of the marquee tournament.

The Bronco test, implemented under the supervision of India’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux, is an addition to the existing Yo-Yo test. 

According to the Rugby Football Union, “The Bronco Test is a hard aerobic running assessment where participants have to complete a sequence of shuttle runs over 60m, 40m and 20m for five sets. The participants' aim is to complete the test in as quick a time as possible.” The total distance covered in the test is 1200 metres.

Speaking to Crictracker, Tiwary said: "I think it will be very difficult to keep Virat Kohli out of the plans for the 2027 World Cup. But I have a doubt that they are going to look at Rohit Sharma into the scheme of things.

"See, I'm a very keen observer of what things are going on in Indian cricket. And I believe this Bronco test, which was introduced a few days back, I think it is for players like Rohit Sharma. Someone who I believe doesn't want them to be part of the team in future. And that's why it has been introduced."

Tiwary added that it will be tough for Rohit to clear the test without focused fitness work: “But the only question is, why now? Why not when your new head coach got the assignment from the very first series? Whose idea is it? Who introduced this? Who enforced this Bronco Test a few days back?

"So it is a question for which I don't have an answer, but the observation says that it is going to be difficult for Rohit Sharma if he doesn't work really hard on his fitness. And I think he will be stopped at the Bronco test.

"I think it has been brought in, obviously, to set the fitness parameter at the highest level, but also I believe it has been introduced to keep a few players out, as like what happened when our Indian great legends like Gambhir, Sehwag, and Yuvraj, and others were doing really well. And after we became champions in 2011, the Yo-Yo test came into the forefront.

“So a lot of things that go behind the scene. And this is my observation. Let's see what happens. The future will definitely give me answers.”

Despite these concerns, Rohit’s ODI form remains exceptional. The right-handed opener has scored 1714 runs in 38 ODIs since 2023 at an average of 48.97 and a strike rate of 117.2, which rises to 122.57 in the powerplay. 

He is the only batter to score more than 1000 runs in the powerplay during this period, operating at an impressive average of 67.41 in that phase.

(Bronco test image credit - Rugby Football Union)