From the team picked by MSK Prasad’s selection committee three players have been ruled out on fitness grounds - Mohammed Shami first, then Sanju Samson and now Ambati Rayudu.All beaten by the Yo- Yo tests that measure cardio capacity.
The method in these tests is Indian cricket puts ‘fitness first’ and makes this a precondition for selection .This shows India is on the ball, conscious that modern cricket requires players to be fit and performance is a result of hours spent in the net and the gym.Skill is essential , so is fitness and anyone not upto scratch on the latter score can say goodbye to ambitions of playing for India.
This is the new culture of the Indian team, scripted personally by Virat Kohli ,a super fit captain who thinks carbs are poison and working out daily is a blessing .He leads by example,sets the bar high - and is absolutely uncompromising that others meet standards that are set .
Making fitness non negotiable shows Virat’s team is different in attitude and approach , more professional and ruthless in a way.The environment around the team is such everyone must always be on full alert because any sign of drop in intensity,the slightest hint of complacency will attract serious punishment.
In the recent past practically every player has received a dose of this tough medicine.Vice Captain Rahane couldn’t hold his slot in the team ,Pujara had to fight hard to keep his place,Karun Nair lost his despite a test triple hundred. Every fast bowler has had to sit out and Ashwin and Jadeja ,certainties for so long ,ceded their positions to youngsters Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.