Karnataka cricketers to clear two-layered test for selection

BENGALURU: The Karnataka cricket team think-tank has decided to up the fitness standards of players looking to make the cut for the upcoming season.
Henceforth, all senior players will have to clear a fitness test, standards for which have been set by the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
In the past, the players were subjected to Yo-Yo tests and a 2-km run test within a prescribed time, and the players getting the nod by clearing one of the two tests.But now, the players will have to clear a two-layered test with the Yo-Yo test standards set at 17.1 and the 2-km run to be completed in 8 minutes, 15 seconds for pacers and 8 minutes, 30 seconds for spinners and batsmen.
Talking about the new fitness standards, Karnataka senior team's head coach Yere Goud on Wednesday said, "This year the KSCA management has taken a decision to conduct fitness tests for all players for selection. We are working towards it. The fitness tests are on par with the NCA standards."
The probables for the upcoming white-ball season began the preparatory camp with Goud, bowling coach Sreenath Arvind and newly appointed fielding coach Deepak Chougule putting the players through the paces.
"Although the players have been playing the league regularly, we (state camp) have regrouped after six months. So, over the next few days we will record batting and bowling videos and assess where the players stand," said Goud, a former Karnataka and Railways batsman.
Of the 35 named for the camp that lasts almost two months, 10 players are with IPL teams, while two players – Kushaal Wadhwani and Shubhang Hegde -- are in the UAE as net bowlers.
With many of the senior players in and out of the team owing to national duty, Goud believes, like the previous few seasons, the team is prepared to make up for their absence. He also added the emphasis was on having enough bowling options, especially since the option of local net bowlers is ruled out due to the bio-bubble.
"We have spoken to the selectors and the management. In the squad of 20, we need to have 7-8 fast bowlers. If we have nets after quarantine and have 5-6 bowlers and five pairs of batsmen at the nets at once, it is going to be difficult. Basically, we are looking at increasing the composition of fast bowlers in the side," he revealed.
DOORS STILL OPEN FOR KOUSHIK
The surprising exclusion among the probables has been medium pacer V Koushik, who was among the star performers for Karnataka in the title triumph in limited overs in the 2019-2020 season. But Goud stressed on the fact that the doors were open for Koushik to make the final squad.
"What the selectors have told us is that the current probables are not the only ones who stand a chance to make it to the 20. Performance in the upcoming state T20 competition will also be factored in," he added.