Hardik Pandya has reported from the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he will undergo fitness tests ahead of the forthcoming Indian Premier League.
Hardik Pandya checks in at NCA to show up for pre-IPL fitness test (courtesy BCCI)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hardik would have to pass the fitness test to play IPL 2022
- Hardik will be at the NCA to take part in the various fitness tests
- Hardik has bowled during a few sessions during Titan’s training camp
Gujarat Titans captain and all-rounder Hardik Pandya has reported to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for a final fitness test ahead of the 2022 IPL season which begins on March 26. It would be interesting to see if Hardik Pandya gets the go-ahead in the moneyed league where the Titans start their campaign against Lucknow Supergiants on March 28th.
“Hardik will be at the NCA for the next two days taking part in the various fitness tests. He is a central contract cricketer and has not played cricket since the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
“He would have to pass the fitness test as it has been mandatory for a while. Last year even Shreyas Iyer showed up for a fitness test after shoulder surgery before playing IPL,” he added.
The national team and NCA medical staff always keep a close eye on their centrally-signed players and Hardik has been revealed to have bowled during some sessions during the Titans’ short five-day training camp in Baroda.
It’s understood he’s fully prepared in terms of batting and fielding fitness, and playing as a pure batter may not be a problem at all for the flamboyant Baroda all-rounder.
“If Gujarat sees a straight batter, a skipper and a finisher then in all likelihood Hardik will be ready but it will be interesting to see how the NCA sports science and medical team view their bowling. Is he ready to bowl? at 135 clicks up?” said the source familiar with the developments.
Hardik held cards close to his chest during the Gujarat Titans jersey launch and explained his bowling would come as a “surprise”.
However, Chetan Sharma, the head of the selectors, said during a recent media conference that his committee will monitor Hardik and he will only be considered if he bowls regularly like in the old days.
If and when it will happen is not yet known, but IPL 2022 could see the development of Hardik Pandya, the pure dough.
