Bhubaneswar: In recent times, cricket has all been about fitness and with the Yo-Yo test being introduced by Indian skipper Virat Kohli, the fitness exercise became an integral part of the team selection process.
But for former India cricketer Md Kaif (2000-2006), who was in the city Saturday to speak on ‘The Secularist and Cricketer’ at the Ekamra Sports Literary Festival, is of a different view. According to him, Yo-Yo fitness test cannot be the ‘sole criteria’ for picking players, but there ought to be a more balanced approach in team selection.
“Finding the perfect balance is of utmost importance. I played in an era where there were players like Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan), Sourav, Anil bhai, VVS Laxman, who weren’t fit at all, but still they did the job of winning matches for the team,” Kaif said.
“If a player is scoring runs and taking wickets, dropping him solely for failing to pass the Yo-Yo is not good.”
“When I was in the team, there was a test (beep test) to know the fitness of the players, but no player was dropped from the team for failing it. He would be told that his fitness level was not good and will have make improvements in the next few months,” the 41-year-old, who is better known for his heroics in the Natwest Trophy wherein India defeated England in the final at Lords in 2002, said.
However, currently there have been a lot of talks about the No.4 slot in the Indian batting lineup for which quite a few players have been tested.
“Ambati Rayudu has done really well recently. He looks composed, and has experience. The most important thing is that he can hold that position very well thereby helping other batsmen down the order,” Kaif opined.
On being asked whether the upcoming tour Down Under would be an ideal preparation for the upcoming cricket World Cup, the cricketer-turned-commentator replied, “Yeah, I think that India is going to do well in Australia. They have a great chance because many of them had been to Australia before. The bounce and swing there is not as much as in England.”