The Indian all-rounder, Suresh Raina’s stress on fitness throughout the ongoing domestic season has finally helped him to clear the Yo-Yo test at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
The southpaw’s claim to earn a national recall has now been boosted with him clearing the Yo-Yo test and going above the minimum benchmark for national selection (16.1) having previously failed the test.
The Yo-Yo Test gauges the player’s ability to run for extended periods of time and tests their endurance levels. BCCI has set the mandatory benchmark of 16.1 for the selection in the national squad.
Cleared my Yo-Yo & fitness test today, after days of hard work at #NCA!
Received tremendous support from all the trainers, coaches & officials.
Thank you all! 👍It’s always so encouraging to train here at #NCA, motivates me to push my limits and bring the best out of me. 💪 pic.twitter.com/E0Rr00NR4m
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) December 21, 2017
Yuvraj Singh also cleared it with a score of 16.3 last month. Raina played five games for Uttar Pradesh, who didn’t make it through the group stage of this year’s Ranji Trophy but has shifted his focus to his fitness ahead of India’s tour to South Africa.
Raina’s last game for India was in February 2017 in the T20I against England in Bengaluru while his last ODI came against South Africa in October 2015 and he has been out of contention ever since.
Having passed the Yo-Yo test, the possibility of Raina making a national comeback and being considered for the limited-overs leg of the tour to South Africa has risen.
After the conclusion of the T20I series against Sri Lanka, the national squad will be traveling to South Africa to take part in three Tests, six ODIs, and three T20Is. While the Test squad has already been announced, the limited-overs squad is yet to be announced.
