Suresh Raina clears Yo-Yo test ahead of South Africa tour
What's the story?
Indian all-rounder, Suresh Raina's emphasis on fitness throughout the ongoing domestic season has paid off as the southpaw has cleared the Yo-Yo test at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
The 31-year-old's bid to earn a national recall has now earned a big boost with him clearing the Yo-Yo test and going above the minimum benchmark for national selection (16.1) having previously failed the test.
In case you didn't know...
The emphasis on fitness for the current Indian team has meant that the Yo-Yo test has become a mandatory fitness test required to be taken by each cricketer in order to be selected for the Indian side. It is a Test that gauges the player's ability to run for extended periods of time and tests their endurance levels. A minimum benchmark of 16.1 has been set by the BCCI in order to be considered for national selection.
Yuvraj Singh, who had also failed the test in the past, cleared it with a score of 16.3 ahead of the limited-overs leg of the series against South Africa. Washington Sundar too cleared it, paving the way for his inclusion in the ODI and T20I squads for the Sri Lanka series and his subsequent international debut.
The details
Suresh Raina played five games for Uttar Pradesh, who didn't make it through the group stage of this year's Ranji Trophy but has shifted his focus to his fitness ahead of India's tour to South Africa.
Raina's last game for India was in February 2017 in the T20I against England in Bengaluru while his last ODI came against South Africa in October 2015 and he has been out of contention ever since.
Having passed the Yo-Yo test, the possibility of him making a national comeback and being considered for the limited-overs leg of the tour to South Africa has risen.
What's next?
After the conclusion of the T20I series against Sri Lanka, India will travel to South Africa to take part in three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is. While the Test squad has already been announced, the limited-overs squad aren't out yet.
Author's take
Having previously failed the Yo-Yo Test, Raina will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief. But this is far from the only criteria for national selection and his poor form in the Ranji Trophy might yet come back to haunt him as hopes to make a comeback to the Indian side.