Dubai: After a triumphant 2024 where the UAE cricket team secured four major Twenty20 trophies, coach Lalchand Rajput has set his sights on improving the team’s One-Day International (ODI) record. Currently languishing at the bottom of the Cricket World Cup League 2 standings, the former Indian opener is prioritising player fitness as a critical first step. To this end, the 63-year-old has introduced YoYo tests as a fitness benchmark and issued a strict ultimatum.
“If you don’t meet the YoYo benchmark, then put an end to your dreams of playing for UAE, as you will not be eligible for selection,” Rajput told Gulf News, sending out a warning to both current players and aspiring talents.
From T20 success to ODI challenges
Despite their remarkable T20 achievements — winning the Premier Cup, T20 Triangular Series in Namibia, T20 World Cup Sub Regional Qualifiers in Qatar, and the ILT20 Gulf Cricket Championship in the UAE — the team’s performance in the 50-over format has lagged.
“While we had a great year in T20, our performance in 50-over contests doesn’t match our success. The main issue is fitness,” Rajput explained.
“In UAE, most players are accustomed to T20 and T10 formats, where you bowl two or four overs and bat for 6-10 overs. However, ODIs demand greater endurance. A fast bowler must bowl 10 overs at different phases of the match, batters need to run hard for 20-30 overs, and fielders must stay sharp for the full 50 overs. We are lacking in this aspect, which is why I’m focusing on fitness before the next round of qualifiers.”
What is the YoYo test?
The YoYo Intermittent Endurance Test (YYIE) measures an athlete’s ability to sustain high-intensity intermittent exercise. It involves running between two markers 20 meters apart at increasing speeds, with brief recovery intervals. This test is critical for sports requiring repeated bursts of effort.
The YOYO test is mainly derived from the Leger Test, created by Luc Leger of the University of Montreal, which was popular till the turn of the century. The Leger multi-stage test, where an athlete would run non-stop 20-metre shuttles for 12 minutes, was not considered suitable for sports like cricket, which are marked by bursts of activity separated by recovery periods.
Rajput has conducted a two-day fitness camp after the Gulf Cricket Championship, inviting over 40 players. The benchmark was set at 17.2, with six players exceeding it by achieving 18.2. However, most participants ranged between 15.5 and 16.5.
“Most of these players will participate in the DP World ILT20 league, competing with some of the world’s elite players. This exposure will help them maintain high standards,” Rajput said. “We have conveyed the message to those who are below 17 that they need to work on their endurance.”
Focused preparations for major events
The coach plans to resume fitness camps after the ILT20 League, scheduled from January 10 to February 9.
“Our focus this year is the World Cup League 2 qualifiers in the Netherlands and Scotland, followed by the T20 World Cup qualifiers in August or September. We must prepare diligently for these events and give our best to secure qualification,” Rajput emphasised.
Rajput, who took charge eight months ago, is optimistic about the team’s skills and believes better fitness will enhance their consistency in longer formats.
“The Premier Cup title in Oman, a qualifier for the Asia Cup, gave us confidence, but inconsistency hurt us. Between victories, we’d lose games. Winning is a habit, and I’ve worked to instill that in the team. Our success in the T20 Triangular Series against Namibia and the USA, followed by an unbeaten streak in the Qatar T20 Qualifiers and the Gulf cup win, are all testaments to this improvement.”
A thrilling Gulf Cup finale
Rajput praised the team’s nerve during the Gulf cup final, where the UAE edged out Kuwait by two runs in a thrilling finish.
“It was a very satisfying performance,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Rajput sees the YoYo benchmark benefiting both senior and under-19 levels.
“Going forward, this approach will guide UAE cricket. We’ll also provide annual progress reports to evaluate performance and set future goals,” he concluded.
