Indian Cricket Team Shifts Focus to Injury Prevention and Performance Tests

The Indian cricket team's recent T20 World Cup victory marked a significant shift in the approach to player fitness and injury prevention. In the past, standard fitness tests were used as a selection criterion, but the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has now adopted a more comprehensive approach that prioritizes injury prevention and performance optimization.

The NCA has developed three proformas: National Fitness Testing Criteria (NFTC), Performance Testing Battery, and Prevention Testing Battery. NFTC, conducted every 12-16 weeks, includes tests like sprint tests, standing long jump, and yo-yo tests. Performance Testing Battery, conducted every six weeks, assesses specific skills related to the player's role. Prevention Testing Battery, conducted every two weeks, focuses on identifying potential injury risks through tests like overhead squats and glute bridge holds.

Notably, the yo-yo test, once a key selection criterion, is now rarely used for centrally contracted players. Instead, the focus has shifted to injury prevention and performance tests. The NCA's team of physios and strength and conditioning coaches has played a crucial role in keeping players fit and available for selection.

The Prevention Testing Battery has become particularly important. It helps identify players at risk of injury, allowing the medical team to intervene early and prevent potential setbacks. GPS vests and whoop bands provide additional data on running-bowling metrics and off-field activities like sleep and recovery.

In February 2022, head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma devised a blueprint for player rotation and fitness management. They identified a pool of players and ensured they were available and in optimal shape for major tournaments. This approach allowed the team to rest players when necessary and avoid injuries.

Despite injuries to key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, the team management stuck to their plan of protecting and preparing players. This strategy ultimately paid off, with India lifting the T20 World Cup trophy in Barbados.

Tags: #Cricket, #Fitness, #InjuryPrevention, #PerformanceTesting, #NCA