The BCCI has issued a verbal warning to the players after Virat Kohli revealed his Yo-Yo test scores on social media.
The Yo-Yo tests are the modern day benchmark in fitness standards and the team management takes the scores into consideration when making selection decisions. BCCI considers the test scores to be “confidential information” and would like to keep it that way.
Team India began their Asia Cup 2023 preparation in Alur, Karnataka with a five day skill-training camp, to get ready for the upcoming event. As is the norm, Indian players underwent the grueling Yo-Yo tests before the camp to assess fitness levels of the players.
What did Kohli do?
Virat Kohli constantly challenges himself in terms of fitness levels and takes pride in it.
किंग कोहली ने जिम में बहाया जमकर पसीना @imVkohli | Virat Kohli Fitness | #Cricket pic.twitter.com/CUlkCssoHr
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) August 15, 2023
“The happiness of finishing the Yo-Yo test between the dreaded cones. 17.2 done,” a visibly jubilant Kohli posted in an Instagram story, with a picture of himself.
King Kohli’s antics certainly didn’t please the BCCI officials. The public and social media seem to have an opinion on everything these days and they tend to jump to conclusions without sufficient evidence.
Yo-Yo tests, while important, are not all encompassing; thus to prevent any misunderstanding, they are considered confidential. Kohli is among the leaders in the dressing room and youngsters certainly look up to him. If he breaches a code, others are likely to do so as well.
BCCI verbally warns the players
The BCCI specifically asked players to avoid disclosing information which are considered confidential by the team management and according to their contracts. They didn’t take any disciplinary step as it is the first instance but issued a strict verbal warning.
“Players have been informed verbally to avoid posting any confidential matter on social media platforms. They can post pictures while training but posting a score leads to breach of contract clause,” an anonymous BCCI official told the Indian Express.
Asia Cup preparations are underway for Team India
Amidst all this the skill-enhancement training camp in Karnataka has started in full swing, with players looking to get themselves sharp for the two upcoming big tournaments. As the fixtures will start to pile up, this is precious little time in which players can iron out their flaws.
Shreyas Iyer convinced the selectors and team management that he's fully fit by scoring a stupendous 199 in the practice match. (TOI). pic.twitter.com/cx7fzCahJU
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 24, 2023
Eyes were particularly on Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who are returning to full fitness. While Rahul is still carrying a slight niggle, Iyer looked to be back in full flow, as he showed with a blistering 199 knock in the National Cricket Academy.
Iyer was declared fully fit by Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, and his exploits in the match simulations at the NCA will give India hope going into the Asia Cup. Team management and fans alike will be hoping that he permanently settles the long standing no.4 dilemma for India.
Team India gets their Asia Cup campaign underway with an encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan on 2nd September in Sri Lanka.
