Hardik Pandya arrive at NCA to undergo fitness test ahead of IPL 2022: Indian premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya has arrived at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to undergo his mandatory fitness examination. The Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper will go through a thorough process of tests for the next couple of days before he gets clearance to spearhead his IPL franchise Gujarat in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
It would be interesting to see if he gets a green pass from the NCA officials to express himself as a bowler during the TATA IPL 2022, starting March 26. The two newly added IPL franchises, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow SuperGiants will face each other in the opening clash on March 28th.
It’s noteworthy that Hardik Pandya has not played any international game since his dismal outing in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. In fact, the cricketer made himself unavailable for the national selection to extensively work on his fitness.
“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 T20 World Cup in UAE,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“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,” he added.
It has been learnt that Hardik is completely fine to play as a pure batter, which exactly he did during the World Cup 2021 in the UAE, however, it remains a question whether he would be able to deliver his bowler services with full potential.
ALSO READ: IPL 2022: Coaching and Support Staff of all 10 Teams
If the reports are to be believed, Hardik still might take some extra time to arrive at his 100 per cent bowling. The all-rounder was seen bowling a couple of sessions during the Gujarat Titans (GT) five days camp.
It is important to note that, earlier, Ashish Nehra, head coach of Gujarat Titans (GT), informed that the franchise has picked the services of Hardik Pandya as a genuine batter. The franchise is not bothered with his ineffectiveness in bowling.
Meanwhile, the franchise recently revealed the team’s jersey for the Tata IPL 2022. The Titans have designed their jersey in predominantly blue colour with distinctive designs.
ALSO READ: IPL 2022: 26 Overseas Players Who Will Miss First Week.
