Elevating Fitness Benchmarks in Indian Cricket
By ANJISHNU BISWAS
The Indian cricket setup has taken a significant step in enhancing player fitness by adding the Bronco Test to its existing fitness evaluations. This addition complements the Yo-Yo Test and the 2-kilometer time trial, forming a more rigorous and well-rounded fitness program. The Bronco Test, originally designed for rugby players, is a demanding aerobic running drill that measures stamina, speed, and cardiovascular strength through continuous shuttle runs. These runs cover distances of 20 meters, 40 meters, and 60 meters, repeated five times without any break, totaling 1.2 kilometers. The expectation is to complete this intense challenge within six minutes, setting a tough standard for endurance.
The rationale behind adopting the Bronco Test stems from the need to address specific fitness gaps noticed in players, especially among fast bowlers. There was concern that certain players concentrated too heavily on gym workouts, potentially neglecting the endurance aspect critical for cricket, where stamina and sustained effort on the field are vital. The Bronco Test demands ongoing, high-intensity running without rest, effectively simulating the physical stress experienced during long spells on the pitch. This continuous nature distinguishes it from the Yo-Yo Test, which allows brief recovery intervals and focuses more on recovery ability between bursts of speed.
By integrating the Bronco Test alongside the Yo-Yo Test and the traditional 2-kilometer run, the Indian cricket fitness program now assesses multiple facets of physical conditioning. This layered approach ensures players develop agility, speed, recovery capacity, and long-term endurance. The comprehensive fitness framework is designed to prepare athletes to maintain peak performance through the long and demanding stretches typical of international cricket. This move marks a clear shift towards emphasizing holistic fitness, highlighting stamina as a key factor alongside skill and technique, and reflects a modern, science-driven approach to building resilience and consistency in elite sport.
Back Sunil Gavaskar Sees Shubman Gill as the Natural Successor in Indian Cricket
The selection of Shubman Gill as vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025 reflects more than a leadership reshuffle. It indicates a clear and structured approach toward the future of Indian cricket. With Sunil Gavaskar offering firm support for the decision, the move takes on added significance within the broader context of team development.
Gill's appointment follows a period of exceptional form across formats. A standout performance as Test captain, where over 750 runs were scored in a single series, showcases a player not just in rhythm but in command. Such achievements demand more than applause — they call for responsibility. In cricket, sustained performance often lays the foundation for leadership consideration, and this instance is no different.
Leadership under pressure has become one of Gill’s defining traits. His short spell as Test captain highlighted the ability to maintain control, deliver results, and manage expectations. Sunil Gavaskar’s endorsement is grounded in these qualities. The ability to stay composed and deliver under scrutiny remains one of the rarest and most valued attributes in top-level cricket.
The vice-captaincy role, according to Gavaskar, serves as more than a badge of recognition. It is a platform for learning, a chance to step into a leadership environment without the full burden of responsibility. It gives selectors a chance to assess readiness while offering the player valuable insight into the complexities of leadership. This reflects a strategy based on progression rather than impulse.
Conversations surrounding player exclusions have dominated some of the recent discourse, but Gavaskar maintains a steady message — once a squad is chosen, it deserves collective backing. Constant debate only weakens the focus. The inclusion of Gill offers a focal point for progress, not distraction. It draws attention back to the core of the game: preparation, performance, and unity.
Gill’s evolution from promising batsman to designated leader underlines a system that recognizes both achievement and character. The selection appears less about experimentation and more about continuity. Talent has been paired with trust, and responsibility has been aligned with long-term vision.
Moments like these may not define entire careers, but they do shape direction. In Gill, Indian cricket seems to have found a steady hand for the years ahead. With Sunil Gavaskar’s public backing, the message is unmistakable — the future is being prepared, not predicted.
Back New Leadership and Youthful Edge Define Asia Cup T20 Squad of India
A reshaped Indian T20 squad readies for the Asia Cup 2025, blending trusted experience with emerging promise. With the tournament set to unfold in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, the selected fifteen reflect a shift in priorities, embracing fresh strategies and bold decisions.
Captaincy shifts hands as Suryakumar Yadav takes the lead, supported by vice-captain Shubman Gill. This leadership pairing introduces a new energy, combining attacking instincts with composure under pressure. Their presence at the top sets a confident tone ahead of a highly anticipated continental campaign.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah makes a timely return after a brief rest due to workload management. His presence stabilises the bowling unit, especially in high-stakes overs. Shubman Gill’s inclusion strengthens the top order, adding consistency and intent to a dynamic batting setup.
Two versatile wicketkeeper-batsmen, Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma, offer depth in both batting and glovework. The all-rounder group—Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel—adds critical balance, capable of influencing matches with both bat and ball across varied conditions.
Difficult omissions add complexity to the squad narrative. Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite strong recent form in domestic cricket and the IPL, miss out. According to chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the fierce contest for middle-order spots made such decisions inevitable. Competition at the top level continues to sharpen, leaving no space for comfort.
Exciting young talents—Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and Harshit Rana—bring aggression, versatility, and readiness. Their selection suggests a calculated push toward the next generation, without compromising on performance standards. Each carries recent form and fearless intent, crucial for high-pressure matches.
Bowling variety stands as a key asset. Arshdeep Singh leads the left-arm pace department, Varun Chakaravarthy brings mystery spin, while Kuldeep Yadav offers wrist spin options. Conditions in the UAE demand such diversity, and this squad appears well-prepared for that challenge.
Standby players such as Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal offer ample coverage across roles. Their inclusion ensures flexibility in case of injuries or strategic shifts during the tournament.
This squad extends beyond immediate competition, hinting at longer-term plans and a clear direction for T20 cricket in the country. Selection choices reflect form, versatility, and adaptability as key metrics. What follows in the Asia Cup will likely shape preparations for future global campaigns.
Back Beneath Every Step, a New Game Begins: How Gallant Sports Is Reshaping Indian Athletic Future
In a country where passion for sports often outpaces the facilities provided, Gallant Sports is turning that gap into ground-breaking opportunity—quite literally. Their newly launched line of advanced sports tiles, eco-conscious flooring, FIFA-certified turf, and impact-reducing shockpads is more than a product update—it’s a bold move to redefine the way India builds for sports.
This launch isn’t just about shiny new surfaces; it reflects a deeper mission. Gallant isn’t chasing trends—they’re creating them here at home. While others talk about innovation and sustainability, Gallant has put those ideas under athletes’ feet in the form of smart, resilient materials designed to enhance performance and protect players at every level.
A standout from the new lineup is their FIFA-tested non-infill synthetic turf. As the world gradually moves away from traditional rubber infill by 2031, Gallant has already stepped into the future. This new turf is cleaner, cooler, and greener—suited for football, hockey, and multipurpose fields. And with simpler installation and shock-absorbing pads, it's built for durability and safety, all while respecting the environment.
Then there's the detail in the design. From shockpads layered with geo-textile fabric for improved fall safety to weather-ready sports tiles that adapt to India’s diverse climates, Gallant shows it understands something essential: the ground isn’t just the base of the game—it can make or break it. For kids on school playgrounds or athletes training for gold, safer, smarter surfaces mean fewer injuries and better performance.
This matters, especially in a country where sports often begin on uneven fields and end in frustration. Gallant’s new products extend an invitation—to rural schools, urban clubs, and everything in between—to dream bigger. Because true athletic potential can’t thrive without a reliable surface to grow on.
With a major IPO on the horizon and a clear long-term plan through its Vision 2036 initiative, Gallant isn’t just building sports fields—it’s building belief. Belief that athletes in every corner of India deserve the best the world has to offer, and that infrastructure isn’t just about support—it’s about ambition.
So, while it may look like flooring or turf, what Gallant Sports is really delivering is a fresh start—under every footstep, in every stride, across every field.
Back The Masters Tournament Redefined: IBM and AI-Driven Revolution in Golf Fan Engagement
As the 89th edition of the Masters Tournament nears, a new technological era is set to transform how fans experience this iconic event. A long-standing partnership between IBM and Augusta National Golf Club is once again at the heart of this evolution, seamlessly blending the prestige and tradition of the Masters with the dynamic capabilities of artificial intelligence. In 2025, golf enthusiasts worldwide are in for a truly groundbreaking digital experience.
IBM’s legacy in sports innovation spans over 30 years, with their work at the Masters being a key highlight. The company’s use of AI and data analytics has revolutionized how fans follow the tournament, offering insights and experiences that extend far beyond traditional broadcasting. At the forefront of this year’s advancements is "Hole Insights 2.0", a powerful feature powered by IBM's watsonx AI. This tool provides fans with an unprecedented level of detail on each hole, shot, and player performance, delivering real-time analyses of the action as it unfolds. It goes beyond just tracking stats, allowing fans to understand past trends, current performances, and predictive models, giving them an enriched perspective on how the game is progressing.
What makes Hole Insights 2.0 especially remarkable is its integration of data from over 180,000 shots across nine years of Masters play. IBM has fine-tuned this information with expert input from past caddies and tournament analysts, transforming raw data into actionable insights that add context and depth to every hole played. For example, fans will learn not only how a hole has played historically but also how specific shot locations correlate to scoring outcomes. This is the kind of detailed, expert-level analysis once reserved for the pros and now accessible to anyone watching from home.
Complementing these insights is the revamped "Masters app on Apple Vision Pro", which elevates the fan experience to an entirely new dimension. The app introduces immersive 3D visuals that allow users to virtually explore Augusta National from different angles and elevations, offering a deeper connection to the course. Fans can now navigate the course’s intricacies, tracking live shots and even watching multiple feeds at once. This immersive platform provides a truly personalized and interactive way to experience the tournament, making the viewer feel as if they are right there on the greens.
In addition to the visual enhancements, the app also features "AI-driven narration" in both English and Spanish, making the experience more accessible for a global audience. This innovative feature keeps fans engaged, whether they’re first-time viewers or long-time Masters devotees, by offering tailored commentary and insights. The integration of AI in such a seamless manner represents a complete reimagining of what sports viewing can be, giving fans control over their experience like never before.
Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at IBM, highlights that this collaboration is not only about enhancing the Masters fan experience but also about demonstrating the power of AI in transforming data into actionable insights. The event is an example of how businesses can apply AI and data analytics to elevate customer experiences, and it serves as a model for other industries looking to harness these technologies.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Masters, one thing is clear: the blend of AI-powered insights and immersive digital features is setting a new standard for how fans engage with live sporting events. As the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds continue to blur, viewers can expect a richer, more personalized experience that brings them closer to the tournament than ever before. In this new era of fan engagement, watching golf is no longer just a passive activity—it’s an interactive experience that invites fans to understand, analyze, and truly connect with the game in ways that were once unimaginable.
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