Hardik Pandya reports at NCA ahead of IPL 2022, set to undergo fitness test

All-rounder Hardik Pandya has reported to the NCA in Bengaluru and is expected to undergo a fitness test. Hardik was drafted in by the Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction for INR 15 Crore and was made the skipper of the franchise as well. The Indian management has been monitoring him in his fitness developments for the past six months.

The Baroda lad was last seen in action during the T20 World Cup 2021 but managed to find a Grade C central contract with the Indian team. The 28-year-old is clearly still in the scheme of things for the upcoming T20 World Cup this year and it is also understood that he had bowled in the Gujarat Titans five-day camp as well for two sessions.

However, it will be difficult for him to find a place in the World Cup squad if he fails to clear the bowling fitness tests at NCA ahead of IPL 2022.

“Hardik will be at the NCA for the next two days and appear in the various fitness tests. He is a centrally contracted cricketer and has not played any cricket since the T20 World Cup in UAE,” a BCCI source said according to India Today.

“He would need to pass the fitness test as it has been mandatory for some time now. Last year, even Shreyas Iyer appeared for a fitness test post shoulder surgery before playing IPL,” the source added.

Hardik Pandya could play as a pure batter for Gujarat Titans

Moreover, there is also a possibility that Hardik Pandya will turn out to play as a pure batter and the skipper for the Gujarat Titans franchise if he fails to prove his bowling bowling fitness. This will mean that Venkatesh Iyer will be the only medium pace all-around option for the mega event this year in Australia and he has been doing really well in recent times.