Team India head coach Ravi Shastri wants to up the ante with Yo-Yo test scores

Mumbai: The Indian cricket team management on Wednesday expressed the desire to raise the Yo-Yo test bar from 16.1 to 16.3, keeping next year’s Cricket World Cup in mind.

According to a report in The Ahmedabad Mirror, head coach Ravi Shastri has clearly stated that the fitness test is mandatory, and those who do not attain the required score will not be considered for national selection.

“Ravi has instructed that every player must pass the Yo-Yo test. He has taken the decision keeping in view the tough overseas assignments for the team, including next year’s World Cup,” a source said to Ahmedabad Mirror.

On Monday, troubled Indian pacer Mohammed Shami failed the Yo-Yo test ahead of the historic India-Afghanistan Test, and that made way for uncapped bowler Navdeep Saini in the Indian squad.

Similarly, young Kerala cricketer Sanju Samson was also left out of India A squad for a tri-series tournament in England after falling short of the required score. As a result, Ishan Kishan replaced him in the squad for the matches against England Lions and West Indies A.

Last October, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had made the test mandatory for any Indian cricketer to be eligible for national selection.

Later in December, Suresh Raina was another cricketer who passed the test and thus became eligible for selection.