With focus on improving fitness standards of J&K cricketers, world-famous Yo-Yo Fitness Test for top state cricketers was conducted at Sheri-Kashmir Cricket stadium here on Monday.
The players who have been part of the correction campconducted by J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) from more than one month nowwere part of the Yo-Yo Test under the watchful eyes of former Team Indiatrainer Sudarshan V P, J&K team coach Milap Mewada and mentor Irfan Pathan.
From senior cricketers to Under-19 level, around 30 playerswho had represented State last year at nationals underwent the rigorous test.J&K skipper Parvez Rasool also underwent the Yo-Yo test.
The Yo-Yo Endurance Test is a variation of the beep test, partof the yo-yo test series developed by the Danish soccer physiologist JensBangsbo. The test is used to evaluate an individual’s aerobic endurancefitness. From the last five years now, cricket teams across the world havetaken to this test to test their fitness levels.
The bar for passing the test was kept at 16.1 level, thesame level that Team India was following till recently. The current bar forTeam India is 16.5 while as Pakistan it is 17.4, West Indies at 19, New Zealandat 20.1. Level 23 is the highest speed level in a yo-yo test, but no one hascome close to getting there yet.
While all the players involved in the camp passed the testcrossing the 16.2 set bar, J&K Ranji trophy opening batsman Ahmed Bandayrecorded best level. He recorded 19.2 level which is even less than the bar heset himself during last year when he recorded 19.4.
J&K cricketers were introduced to the Yo-Yo test lastyear on the recommendation of its mentor Irfan Pathan who has laid focus onimproving the overall standard of J&K cricket.
All the officials and support staff were impressed with thefitness level of players and said that there is still room for the improvement.
It is second stint of former Team India trainer Sudarshan VP with the J&K ace cricketers after having spent 10 days with playersduring the initial phase of correction camp.
This time he is working along with Milap Mewada, IrfanPathan as well as JKCA phyios, trainers and other support staff with the aim toset a long-term plan for the J&K cricketers in making fitness a priority.
Players who underwent the Yo-Yo Test praised JKCA forholding a pre-season camp early that was never seen before in J&K cricket.
“Today all the players did well in the Yo-Yo test because wehave all been part of this tough coaching camp for more than a month. When thecamp started, we were coming after lengthy off-season, but with time we startedto get into groove and improve our skills and fitness levels. It is ideal wayof starting the preparation for the upcoming season,” said Ahmed Banday.
The pacer Mohammad Mudhasir said that what better a playerwill want than to get a chance to prepare early for the all important season.
“After being part of the camp for over a month, our fitnesslevel and skills have improved. It has helped us a lot in getting back intorhythm and to be prepared for the season ahead. This is best that has happenedto J&K cricket with players getting enough chance to start preparation.Previously, at times, we had played matches on the very day when we reached thevenue without any preparations,” Mudhasir said.
JKCA official said that the coaches and support staff haveset long-term plans for the teams which involves improving skills and also toidentify budding talents.
“In the present-day cricket world, fitness has becomeessential part of the team and players. From last year, we have also started tofocus on it and make players aware about its importance. Irfan Pathan himselfhas been mentoring both senior and junior players about its benefits,” saidJKCA official.