Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes the ‘Yo-Yo’ fitness test cannot be the “sole criteria” for picking players, and reckons a more balanced approach is needed in team selection.
The Indian cricket team had set 16.1 as the Yo-Yo test benchmark for the past couple of years, with any player falling short of the mark being denied a spot in the team.
“Fitness is important, as we have seen that the fielding standard of the Indian team has improved a lot. But there should be a balanced approach,” Kaif said at the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, 3 November.
37-year-old Kaif, who was among the fittest players of his time, spoke on a variety of issues during a panel discussion on the topic ‘The Secularist and Cricketer’.
“If a player is scoring runs and taking wickets, dropping him solely on the basis that he could not pass the ‘Yo-Yo’ is not good.”Mohammad Kaif
The most recent example was Ambati Rayudu, whose national comeback after nearly two years was stalled when he failed to clear the Yo-Yo test despite scoring 600-plus runs in the IPL.
Subsequently, Rayudu cleared the fitness test and was picked for the Asia Cup.
"When I was in the team, there was a test (beep test) to know the fitness of the players but never was a player dropped from the team. He would be told that his fitness level was not good and he will have to make improvements in the next few months."
Kaif did, however, credit India’s run of results in recent times to improved fitness levels. “With captain Virat Kohli setting an example in fitness standards, the team is doing very well and that is reflecting in the results,” he said.
Kaif, who represented India in 125 ODIs and 13 Tests between 2000 and 2006, also expressed his puzzlement over Rishabh Pant being tried as an outfielder in 50-over cricket.
“Rishabh is basically a wicketkeeper but he has been made to field everywhere. I believe he will not be comfortable with that.”
In 2014, Kaif had contested in general elections in India – but does he harbour political ambitions again?
“I fought the election on a Congress ticket and lost. As of now, I am not thinking of joining politics and fighting elections once again. But never say never.”Mohammad Kaif
“I found out that politics divides people. I wanted to serve the people and do something for the society, that is why I fought elections.”
“Now I am associated with the game and sharing my knowledge with youngsters in my academy. I want as many players from Uttar Pradesh to the Indian team,” he added.
Kaif also said sport transcends all boundaries of religion and caste.
“There are these dividing factors in society and we know that. But sports is above all these. You perform, score runs and take wickets. You will get selection irrespective of the religion, or caste or region you belong to. In my whole career, I have never felt discriminated on that basis of anything. It was all about performance,” he said.
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