Relationship between Body Mass Index and Selected Physical Fitness Variables of Ranji Cricket Players

Cricket has become has one of the most popular game in the world and of all the major game in India it is the only one that has been jealously preserved by all those who player supported. Physical variables are the most important contributing factors for better performance in all sports and games so is in Cricket. The game of Cricket requires considerable amount of physical fitness and mastery of skills. A Cricket player ought to possess specific speed, strength, power, agility, flexibility and endurance in abundance so as to learn and master the techniques of the game. Modern demands in one day competitions, especially for training of fast bowlers, batsman, fielders and wicket - keepers adequate emphasis is given for the development physical characteristics. Therefore the modern trend in the field of Cricket is to assess the related components successfully as a part of total body and size of each Cricketer and interpret how far each of these components are helpful in the performance of a Cricketer under match condition. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to find out the Body Mass Index (BMI) status, Flexibility and Hand grip strength of Ranji cricket players and also relationship between BMI and flexibility and hand grip strength of Ranji cricket players. Procedure: In this study The selected sample consists of Thirty Ranji Cricket players, each Fifteen players from Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh team. They were participated in the 86th Ranji season. BMI measuring weight and Height inserted into BMI formula and converted it in to BMI score and recorded in kg/m2. Another two physical fitness variables are Flexibility and Hand grip test. Equipment used for Flexbox sit and reach flexibility tester and Hand grip dynamometer for Hand grip test. Statistical Technique: The data collected to achieve the purpose of the study was tested with the statistical technique Descriptive statistics, ?T? test, Karl Pearson?s coefficient of correlation. Results: that selected physical fitness variables like flexibility and handgrip strength are negatively influencing on the body mass index of Ranji Cricket players.