Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is implementing stringent fitness tests as a prerequisite for awarding central contracts for the upcoming 12 months. This comprehensive assessment will encompass both current contracted players and potential candidates from international and domestic competitions.The fitness tests will be conducted from September 6 to 8 in Lahore under the supervision of white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, team physiotherapist, and trainer. The players will subsequently depart for Faisalabad to participate in the Champions Cup.According to a reliable source within the PCB, "The fitness tests will play a pivotal role in determining which players secure contracts this year, while performance will also be a key consideration." The source emphasized that both foreign coaches, Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, have prioritized fitness as a primary criterion for player selection.Gillespie expressed concerns regarding the fitness levels of certain players during the recent Test series against Bangladesh, noting their inability to maintain intensity and endurance throughout the matches. Kirsten echoed similar sentiments during meetings with selectors and board officials.The fitness tests will evaluate various aspects of a player's physical capabilities, including gym training, stamina and endurance runs, yo-yo tests, and other assessments.Currently, the PCB has awarded central contracts to approximately 27 players. However, indications suggest that the number may be reduced this time due to the national team's underwhelming performances across all formats in the past year.The recent 2-0 Test series defeat against Bangladesh has drawn significant criticism towards players and board officials, prompting the PCB to implement stricter fitness standards to enhance the team's competitiveness.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener and mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has expressed his disapproval of the practice of rejecting players solely based on their fitness test scores. He believes that fitness should be a consideration, but not the sole determinant of a player's selection.Gambhir argues that fitness should be assessed by trainers, who can determine whether a player is physically capable of performing at the required level. He emphasizes that players should be selected based on their batting and bowling skills, and that it is the trainer's responsibility to improve their fitness."Fitness should be a factor, but I also do not agree that we have to pass a fitness test to be called fit. I don't agree to that. Fitness should directly be related to the trainer. If a trainer feels that you're fit enough, some people are physically strong from a point of view that they can lift a lot of weights in the gym," Gambhir said.He further adds, "But if you don't select someone just because of a yo-yo test, I don't think that's the right way. You select players on their talent, on their battling skills, on their bowling skills. And it is the trainer's job to keep working on their fitness and keep making them better physically as well. Just because someone doesn't pass a yo-yo test and doesn't get selected, I think that is a bit unfair."Gambhir's comments come amidst speculation that he is a leading candidate to replace Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian team after the T20 World Cup. Dravid has previously stated that the T20 World Cup will be his last assignment with the Indian team.Gambhir has expressed his desire to coach the Indian team, saying, "I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well."Gambhir was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. He is known for his aggressive batting style and his leadership skills.