Hardik Singh's statements that Indian hockey players are "scoring more" in the Yo-Yo Test routinely, even compared to cricketers, had been a surprise factor for many sports fans. Players in the game of hockey regularly exceed 23 on the Yo-Yo Test, he said and even the fittest cricketers like Virat Kohli stopped at about 17 to 18, Singh added. 

Not only that, the jaw dropped when Hardik claimed that the junior women's hockey team's Yo-Yo test scores are equal to that of Kohli's. This sparked questions. So what is this Yo-Yo Test, and why is everybody, especially cricketers, making so much hoo-hah about it along with the Hockey team?

The Yo-Yo Test: From Danish Soccer Fields to Indian Cricket Camps

The Yo-Yo Test isn't just a quirky name. In the early 1990s, Danish soccer physiologist Jens Bangsbo first introduced the 3200-meter test as a measure of fitness evolution. The term yo-yo originates from the way that a yo-yo is testing, back-and-forth.

The Bangsbo test replicated the activity pattern of soccer. This includes short bursts of high-intensity activity interspersed with brief recovery periods. And thus, it became soccer-friendly within days. It then quickly spread amongst athletes from sports such as basketball, tennis, and even handball. All these games require sprints followed by short rest periods.

Read Also: Top 6 male fittest players in the world 

It was a breakthrough test. It includes moving from the previous steady aerobic fitness tests like the 12-minute run that did not reflect the stop-start nature of these sports. This Test just replicated the realities—having to accelerate and stop quickly or run hard for a short period followed by an intense recovery.

The Indian Cricket Connection: Enters Shankar Basu

The Yo-Yo Test gained popularity in European soccer. Later, it emigrated to the courts of other team sports. The Indian Cricket team took a long time.

In 2017, thanks to the strength and conditioning coach Shankar Basu, who implemented the Yo-Yo test as the ultimate bar to ensure fitness. The aim was to guarantee players could cope with the demands of modern cricket. The test was the right fit for it, as cricket these days demands explosive sprints between the wickets and rapid fielding movements.

As a result, the test became a requirement for selection into the Indian cricket team. Players had to achieve a minimum score of 16.1. Only those who met this standard were deemed fit for national duty. Suresh Raina, failing to reach the mark in 2017, was left out of the team. Virat Kohli, known for his dedication to fitness, achieved a remarkable score of 17.2 in 2023.

However, Hardik Singh pointed out that this score would barely make a dent in the hockey world.

Cricket vs Hockey: Why the Yo-Yo Test Favors Hockey Players

So, why do hockey players like Hardik Singh say that their scores are far superior to those of cricketers? The nature of hockey requires players to maintain a high level of intensity throughout the game. However, cricket requires athletes to engage in short, intermittent sprints.

In hockey, players are in a constant transition between offence and defence. They are continuously racing up and down the field and quickly recovering. Hockey is a sport that doesn't ensure ball possession to a particular player but demands him/her to be in action throughout.

This type of movement closely resembles and suits the test. Thus it rightly explains why athletes from more physically demanding sports like hockey can achieve impressive Yo-Yo Test scores, sometimes reaching as high as 23. 

Hardik’s teammate, PR Sreejesh, the experienced goalkeeper, managed to score an impressive 21 on the test. Funny enough, this guy needs to just move and dive within the 20-meter mark and nothing else!

Read Also: Hockey India decides to retire jersey No. 16 in honour of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh

How does the Yo-Yo Test Work?

The test requires athletes to run back and forth between two cones that are 20 meters apart. It may sound easy, but it’s not. Athletes need to reach the cone before the beep. And as they progress through each level, the beeps come more quickly.

This means they have to run faster and faster. After each sprint, they get a brief recovery period of 5 to 10 seconds before the next sprint begins. The test starts at a relatively slow pace, but soon athletes find themselves sprinting at full speed, struggling to catch their breath as the pace becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.

The test concludes when an athlete can no longer reach the cone before the beep. Their score reflects how many levels and shuttles (round trips) they can complete before they have to stop.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness

The Yo-Yo Test is necessary due to its ability to assess both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Aerobic fitness deals with how effectively the body is utilizing oxygen over extended periods. Anaerobic fitness, on the other hand, focuses on your performance during short, intense efforts when oxygen isn't readily available. 

In sports such as hockey, soccer, and basketball, athletes rely on both types of fitness to maintain high performance throughout the game. However, cricket involves a short and sudden burst of intense activity. It may be a dive at the slip, a one-handed catch, or diving to save the wicket. This is the reason cricket limits itself to the basic level of the test.

The Four Versions of the Test

The test, however, is not limited to just one type. There are four different types of this test, designed for different levels of fitness. Here, the types are mentioned.

1. Recovery Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1): This is the most common version, focusing on an athlete’s aerobic endurance.
2. Recovery Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2): A tougher version of IR1, focusing more on anaerobic recovery.
3. Endurance Level 1 (Yo-Yo IE1): This version is used for sports that require lower intensity over a longer period.
4. Endurance Level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2): A more intense version of IE1 for athletes who need to perform at a high level for an extended time.
   

The cricketers use the Yo-Yo IR1 test. However, the Hockey players juggle between IR1 and the tougher version, IR2.

Beyond Fitness

This test is not just a medium to gain fitness. This ensures better stamina with better healing capabilities.

Apparently, it sounds like this enhances the on-field performances. But it has underlying positives. It helps the athletes to improve not just their stamina but also their ability to recover quickly between bursts of activity. As Hardik Singh mentions, hockey players must preserve peak fitness levels because their sport demands constant movement, high stamina, and swift bursts of speed.

Read Also: India at Olympics: Every member of the medal-winning hockey teams

The Final Whistle

A score that looks like a number has a huge amount of resilience and grip underneath it. Every time it feels like running out of breath, it seems like a continuous duel between the mind and the body. The mind pushes an exhausted body to be a better one.

Cricket, even though it is the most popular sport so far, doesn't need continuous body movements, unlike Hockey. Undoubtedly, the second one deserves more physical activities.

When it looks like a "choice" for sports like cricket, it's a necessity for fast-paced games like hockey! 

In the end, it's just a question asked to the fans out there: is it high time to not use the term "fittest athlete" for someone for just being popular?

Nevertheless, with a fanbase that ignores the Olympic bronze medalist and puts more emphasis on a mere influencer who has as few contributions, one can't expect more!

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a stage for batting brilliance, with a select group of players consistently amassing over 500 runs in multiple seasons. With this fourth consecutive fifty of the IPL 2025, Virat Kohli now leads the pack, followed by David Warner, KL Rahul, and Shikhar Dhawan.

Here are all the batters having the IPL records of having the most 500+ runs season in IPL. 

4. Shikhar Dhawan: 5 Seasons

Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian cricketer with five 500+ run seasons, has been a reliable run-getter for multiple franchises, notably Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Known for his crisp cover drives and steady starts, Dhawan’s 618 runs in 2019 reflect his ability to deliver under pressure.

Dhawan first crossed 500 runs in the 2102 season, playing for Delhi Capitals. That season, he scored 569 runs at a 40.64 batting average. Four seasons later, in 2016, Dhawan scored 501 runs while playing for SRH.

He then crossed the 500-run mark in three consecutive seasons in 2019, 2020 and 2021. All fo those runs came for Delhi Captials. 

Read Also | IPL records: Most consecutive 25+ scores in IPL history

3. KL Rahul: 6 Seasons

KL Rahul has notched up 500+ runs in six IPL seasons, showcasing elegance and consistency for his teams. Be it at the top of the order or in the middle overs, KL Rahul has always shown versatility to score at his will for his team. 

His 670-run haul in 2020 underlines his prowess as a modern T20 great. From 2018 to 2022, Rahul went past the 500-run mark in five consecutive seasons. The first four seasons were for Punjab Kings while the 2022 season was while playing for LSG. 

Rahul's last 500+ run season was in 2024, while playing for LSG. With already 371 runs this season, it looks like he will go past the 500-mark this season as well.

Read Also | IPL Facts: Most 400 Plus Runs in an IPL Season

2. David Warner: 7 Seasons

David Warner, with seven 500+ run seasons, is one of the greatest batters in IPL history. The former Australian opener’s aggressive style and knack for big scores have been pivotal for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals in the past.

Warner’s three Orange Cap titles highlight his consistency, with his 2016 season (848 runs) being a standout.

From 2014 to 2020, he scored 500+ runs in six seasons, with only 2018 being a miss, when he did not play. In the 2023 season, he managed his 7th 500+ runs season with 516 runs for Delhi Capitals.

1. Virat Kohli: 8 Seasons

Like many other IPL records, Virat Kohli now also holds the record for the most 500+ runs season. He has now scored 500+ runs on 8 occasions, going past David Warner's record. 

Kohli scored more than 500 runs in 2011 (557 runs), 2013 (634 runs), 2015 (505 runs), 2016 (973 runs), 2018 (530 runs), 2023 (639 runs), 2024 (741 runs) and 2025 (505 runs and counting). 

Kohli's record 973 runs in the 2016 season is still the most runs scored in an IPL season. 

Mumbai Indians star batter Suryakumar Yadav broke Robin Uthappa's 11-year-old record and became the first player in history to score 11 consecutive 25+ scores. Quite remarkably, the Indian T20I captain has crossed the 25-run mark in all 11 matches that the five-time champions have played this year. He achieved this feat on Thursday by scoring 48*(23) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2025 match.

Let's take a look at the IPL records of most consecutive 25+ scores in IPL history.

Also Read: Most wins after 76 games as captain in IPL

IPL records | Most consecutive 25+ scores

5. Virat Kohli | 9 Matches

Virat Kohli played in every IPL season, scoring 9 consecutive 25+ scores from IPL 2024-25. The RCB veteran has been in fine form from 2024 season. Overall in T20s, Kohli has 100 half-centuries under his belt. He is also the highest run scorer in IPL history with 8447 runs to his name.

Earlier this season, Virat became the first-ever Indian batter to breach the 13,000-run mark in T20s during the encounter against Mumbai Indians. The former India captain became the fifth player overall to reach the landmark, behind Chris Gayle, Alex Hales, Shoaib Malik and Kieron Pollard.

4. Sai Sudharsan | 9 Matches

Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan played IPL from 2022 till date. He scored 9 consecutive 25+ scores from IPL 2024-25.

Talking about his IPL career, Sudharsan made his debut in the cash-rich league with Gujarat Titans, when the franchise was first introduced in 2022. He just got five matches in that season where amassed 145 runs along with one fifty with a strike rate of 127.19.

However, Sai Sudharsan continued for GT in IPL 2023 where he scored 362 runs in eight matches at an average of 51.71 and a strike rate of 141.41 hitting three fifties. He had his best season in IPL 2024 where he scored 527 runs in 12 matches, at an average of 47.91 and a strike rate of 141.29. He also scored two fifties in that season and went on smash his maiden IPL hundred.

3. Steve Smith | 9 Matches

Steve Smith played IPL from 2012 to 2021. He scored 9 consecutive 25+ scores from IPL 2016-18.

In a career spanning over a decade, Smith has racked up 2,485 runs from 103 IPL matches at an average of 34.51. His strike-rate in the league falls under 130. His tally includes a ton.

Smith has played for five franchises in the cash-rich league. He last played in the tournament in 2021, where he represented Delhi Capitals. Notably, Smith started his IPL journey with the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2012. He led the Rising Pune Supergiants to the IPL final in 2017, where they lost to Mumbai Indians.

2. Robin Uthappa | 10 Matches

Robin Uthappa played IPL from 2008 to 2022. He scored 10 consecutive 25+ scores in IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders in their title-winning campaign in 2014. Uthappa was also the highest run-scorer of the season.

He amassed 660 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 44.00. Uthappa also notched up five fifties and one century, with a highest score of *83 (not out) in that season. His performances in the IPL always kept him in high demand amongst the different IPL franchises.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Most 400 Plus Runs in an IPL Season

1. Suryakumar Yadav | 11* Matches

Suryakumar Yadav holds the IPL records of scoring most consecutive 25+ scores in IPL history. Surya scored 11 consecutive 25+ scores in IPL 2025 season.

In Match 50 of IPL 2025 against Rajasthan Royals, SKY smashed an unbeaten 48 off 23 balls to keep his purple patch going strong. And in the process, he etched his name at the very top of that list. He has passed 25 in every single game he has played this season. It’s a level of consistency that even legends struggle to maintain in a league this intense.

SKY isn’t just breaking records for fun. He is now also leading the Orange Cap race in IPL 2025 with 467 runs in 11 games at a stunning strike rate of 172.96, including three fifties.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), which began in 2008, is presently in its 18th season. It is considered one of the hardest and most energizing T20 leagues in the world. Consistently scoring runs isn't a simple thing to do in the IPL, indeed for world-class batsmen. With plenty of world batters playing in the IPL, it's not simple to be among the best run scorers. However, a few players have stood the test of time and have reliably performed within the IPL.

On that note, let's take a look at five batters who have scored most 400 plus runs in an IPL season.

Also Read: Most Wickets in IPL history

Most 400 Plus Runs in an IPL Season

5. Rohit Sharma | 8 Times

Former Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma occupies the fourth spot on this list. Rohit, powered MI to five titles, is among four players with over 6,000 runs in the IPL. Rohit smashed 400 or more runs in seven different seasons - 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2019. He also bolstered the now-defunct Deccan Chargers initially with his power-packed knocks.

4. David Warner | 9 Times

Like Dhawan, Australia's David Warner also has a knack for smashing the bowlers in the Powerplay. He is the fourth-highest run-scorer (6,565) in the IPL after Rohit Dhawan and Kohli. Warner also holds the record for slamming 400 plus runs in most IPL seasons among overseas players. The dashing left-handed batter attained this feat in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.

3. Shikhar Dhawan | 9 Times

Shikhar Dhawan remains one of the most prolific run-scorers in IPL history. He is one of only three players with over 6,700 IPL runs, the other being Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Notably, Dhawan has slammed 400 or more runs in nine different IPL seasons (2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022).

2. Suresh Raina | 9 Times

Suresh Raina, who was once the backbone of Chennai Super Kings' batting line-up, scored 400 plus runs in nine different IPL seasons. Raina, also known as Mr. IPL, is still the highest run-scorer of CSK in the IPL.

Overall, the stylish left-hander owns 5,529 IPL runs with 40 fifty-plus scores. He scored 400 plus runs in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018.

Also Read: Most Sixes in an innings by an Indian in IPL

1. Virat Kohli | 11 Times

Virat Kohli continued his record-breaking run in the IPL 2025 after continuing a good run of form during the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The 36-year-old etched his name in the history books as he completed 400 runs in the ongoing tournament in a run that seen him make five-centuries in the season.

This is the third successive season in which Kohli has managed to cross the 400-run mark in a season, while the 11th time in his career, making him the first player to achieve the most 400 plus runs in an IPL season. Infact, no player before Kohli had even reached the milestone 10 times in their career.

Kohli is also the leading run-getter in IPL history and is nearing the 8500-run mark. He is the only player with 7000 and 8000 runs in the league's history. He also holds the record for the most centuries with eight tons.

India started the Tri-Nation Women's ODI series with a winning note as they defeated the host Sri Lanka by 9 wickets. India chased down Sri Lanka's 148-run target with 56 balls remaining in the match after Indian spinners dominated the Sri Lankan batters in the first innings.

The match was initially interrupted by rain which resulted in the loss of overs, reducing to 39 overs a side. Indian announced their arrival with an impressively controlled victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium stadium, Colombo.

Indian spinners dominated the game from the start

The Sri Lankan team, batting first, struggled to build partnership and were bowled out for 147 in 38.1 overs. Indian bowlers dominated the entire first inning with Arundhati Reddy dismissing the Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu and getting an early wicket for the team. It followed by an exceptional bowling performance leading to a constant flow of wickets, which completely shattered Sri Lanka’s batting line-up.

Sneh Rana was a star performer, who took 3 crucial wickets for India, with Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani taking 2 wickets each. Additionally, the on-field efforts of the Indian team was commendable in today's match.

During the second inning, India started off comfortably with the bat, without trying to rush things out. The opening pair, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, formed a partnership of 54 runs for the first wicket. Smriti Mandhana missed out on her 31st ODI half-century and was dismissed at 43 (off 46 balls). 

Harleen Deol came to bat next and played composed cricket, scoring 48 runs from 71 balls. Sri Lanka failed to take more wickets, and Harleen Deol sealed the win for India with her exceptional half-century from 62 balls.

Both teams fielded 2 debutants

Kashvee Gautam (22-year-old), who impressed the fans with her bowling for Gujarat Giants in the WPL 2025, along with the star of Delhi Capitals, Sree Charani (20-year-old), made their International debut for India in this match. Charani picked up 2 wickets with an economy of 3.25 in today's match.

Sri Lanka also handed debuts to Malki Madara and Piumi Badalge.

India's shield-like batting power 

The Indian batters showcased an amazing quality of batting in this format. Smriti Mandhana, along with Pratika Rawal, provided a good start in the initial overs. They kept the flow of runs going with their bat. Smriti departed at 43 (from 46 balls) while trying to loft the ball over the bowler (Inoka Ranaweera), and wasn't lucky enough to make it through.

Harleen Deol stepped in after the wicket and made no mistakes, adding 48 runs off 71 balls from her bat. Pratika Rawal scored 50 off 62 balls, putting the winning runs on the board for India.

It felt like Indian batters were quite difficult to get out and stood up like solid walls, without losing their wickets. 

Steady headstart for India

India's win has lift up the team's spirit and confidence to another level. This was also a glimpse of the solid form and composure that the players hold in this Tri-series squad. 

In today's match, each bowler had an economy below 5, and the batters were incredible in chasing down the total, without losing many wickets.

The challenge ahead for Sri Lanka 

This defeat against India serves as a reminder for Sri Lanka to assess and improve their shortcomings. They failed to build partnership throughout the game, which led to a low total on the board. Hasini Perera's 30 from 46 balls was the highest score by a Sri Lankan batter in this match. 

Immediate Reflections and Long-term Goals

This being the ODI World Cup year, the immediate reflections for both the teams would be to shape their strategies, set grounds and make effective adjustments with the stage of the Tri-Nation ODI series among India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

Score Summary

SL-W: 147 (38.1/39) | Kavisha Dilhari 25; Sneh Rana 8-31-3

IND-W: 149 (29.4/39) | Pratika Rawal 50* (62); Harleen Deol 48* (71)

Many Indian bowlers have distinguished themselves with their unique bowling styles, which sometimes have also been referred to as weird. In cricket, minor styles and actions like this can grab the attention of spectators and get them hooked. 

Jasprit Bumrah 

Jasprit Bumrah is among one of the anticipated names for this category. His unorthodox action with a hyperextended arm caught everyone's attention during his IPL debut for MI, back in 2013. 

Bumrah was trolled in the initial stage of his career for the kind of elbow placement and compact run-up in his bowling style, which looks odd.

Regardless of what people say, his action indeed adds a unique value to his incredible bowling.

Shivil Kaushik

Shivil Kaushik is an Indian spin bowler who played for Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016. He stood-out during his IPL debut because of his peculiar action that several spectators found bizarre.

His action closely resonates with the former South African cricketer Paul Adams, who was often described as a “frog in a blender.” Since then, Shivil became a mandatory part among Indian players with unusual bowling actions.

Read Also: Best bowling figure in IPL History: Akash Madhwal equals Kumble's record

Debashish Mohanty

The former Indian cricketer, Debashish Mohanty is an ideal fit for the list due to his open-chested action, appearing weird in a way. Mohanty’s action with his lanky frame was often considered more dangerous than his swing bowling.

This kind of action was quite exhausting, and he was once advised to bowl off-spin in order to save energy and prevent injuries.

Kedar Jadhav 

Kedar Jadhav, the former Indian off-spin bowler, is widely known for his unusual side-arm sling style. His hand almost aligned with the umpire’s belly at the time of releasing the ball, which resulted in slower deliveries with little bounce.

Jhadav’s extraordinary style as a spinner holds a solid place in the list for Indian players with unusual bowling actions.

K.C. Cariappa

K.C Cariappa is an Indian bowler, who played for teams like Kings XI Punjab, KKR and RR in IPL. He is known to be a “mystery spinner” with an unusual round-arm action. His ability to bowl off-spin without changing the grip was challenging for batsmen.

B.S Chandrashekhar

Legendary leg-spinner B.S Chandrashekhar had an unusual whipping action accompanied by a long and bouncy run up which was hard to predict for a batter. He is one of the Indian players with unusual bowling actions and the greatest leg-spinners.

Also Read: The Most Memorable Test Centuries in Cricket History

Kamran Khan

Kamran Khan is an Indian fast-medium bowler, who played for Rajasthan Royals and Pune Warriors in the early seasons of IPL. His slung action was a debatable topic of discussion back in the days.

Khan’s unusual action caused trouble for him as he had to face rehabilitation period when the matter of “illegal action” came into light.

Murugan Ashwin

Murugan Ashwin is an Indian spin bowler who gained recognition after his IPL debut for RPS in 2016. He later played for teams like MI, RR, PBKS and DC. His bowling action has a degree of mystery to it, with an unusual twist of the arm and wrist.

Read Also: Most Player of the Match awards in T20I cricket history

Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary is an Indian batter who occasionally bowls with a weird action. He was faced with trolling, and people called it strange after his bowling spell in a match in IPL 2018.

His action was also compared to the slingy style of Lasith Malinga, recreated as a spin bowler.