Former India player turned mentor Gautam Gambhir recently opened up on the much-debated Yo-Yo Test, which is the crucial fitness test for players representing the Indian cricket team as well. It has now become the standard assessment tool for checking the players’ endurance and stamina. The players who failed the Yo-Yo Test face a risk of non-selection by the national selectors as well.

On being asked about this in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Gambhir said: “Fitness should be a factor. But, I also think we don’t have to pass fitness test to be called fit. I don’t agree. Some players are physically strong; like some can pull weights in the gym, some have good endurance, but are not good in weight-training and lack in strength. I think it should be the trainer who should decide if a player is a fit, not Yo-Yo.”

Gambhir further added that the trainer should work on the area, where he feels that the players need to work on some parts as well. The
veteran also thinks a player should be selected based on his skills, rather than solely focusing on him meeting the Yo-Yo benchmark as well.

He added: “Nothing should be a benchmark. I don’t agree to that honestly. For me, I think I might be able to achieve Yo-Yo, but not able to pick weights in the gym, that doesn’t mean I am not physically strong. The role of a trainer is to improve the players in the area, where they are lacking. But, selecting players on the basis of Yo-Yo, I don’t think that’s the right way. Select players on their talent, batting and bowling skills.”

“Look, I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honor than coaching your national team,” Gambhir said during an interaction with children at an event in Abu Dhabi as well. “You are representing 140 crore Indians. And more across the globe as well. And when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that?”