Indian parameter for the Yo-Yo test pretty low: Zaheer Khan

Indian cricket seems to be divided over Yo-Yo test. While former cricketers including Sachin Tendulkar have said that it shouldn't be the only criterion for judging the fitness, others including current India coach Ravi Shastri have backed it saying it's here to stay.

Former India left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan has advocated for uniformity in applying fitness parameters for junior and senior cricketers. But he also backed the Yo-Yo test since the current parameter of 16.1 set by the Indian team management for clearing is quite low as when compared to other teams.

"What I know is that the parameter set by the current Indian team (16.1) is pretty low compared to the world standard," he told PTI on Friday. "If a player is not even able to achieve that mark, then I believe there is some problem somewhere."

In the recent past players of the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami, Sanju Samson among others have lost their place in the national teams owing to their faliure to clear the Yo-Yo test. Legendary allrounder Kapil Dev had said that a cricketer should only be judged by his performance on the field. "A bowler can perhaps clear the Yo-Yo test easily than a batsman. But this isn't the ultimate test to judge a player. It comes down to your performances on the field and cricketers should only be judged only on the basis of their on-field performances." Kapil was quoted as saying by TOI.

Zaheer, though, has backed Virat Kohli and the Indian team management on the issue. "Look, for me any parameter is acceptable as long as it is uniformly applied. If the criteria is same for the top most and the junior most cricketer, I have no issues. Obviously, there is focus on skill but this Indian team wants to be a fit unit. Virat and the team management is trying to ensure that for the benefit of the team," he said.