Major update on Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's fitness

There has been a huge question mark over Hardik Pandya's fitness in the last few months as the all-rounder has struggled to remain fit. The last time he featured for India was during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

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As a matter of fact, he wasn't even regularly bowling during the ICC tournament. Thus, he was recovering, and was out of action for quite a while. However, in what comes as promoting news for all the Gujarat fans, their captain has been given the green signal to lead the franchise.

After a general assessment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, he was declared fit. According to a report by The New Indian Express, not only did Pandya bowl, but he cleared the 'Yo-Yo' Test with flying colours.

It is to be noted that the BCCI has been keeping a close watch on all its centrally contracted players. The Gujarat skipper regaining his full fitness comes as good news to the Indian team as well. A BCCI source drew light on the same.

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"Let's make it clear. Fitness test clearance is only for those who are coming back from injury. In the case of Hardik, it was about getting a general fitness assessment going into the gruelling ITL season. He is an asset and one needed to check his current fitness standards," said a BCCI source.

"He didn't need to bowl at NCA but he has bowled for a considerable time and in the range of 135 kmph. On the second day, he crossed the Yo-Yo test with flying colours with a 17-plus score which is much above the cut-off level," the source added.

The Gujarat-based franchise will be making their Indian T20 league debut in the upcoming season. As this is Pandya's first stint as a captain in the toughest T20 league in the world, all eyes will be on him. This is the ideal platform for the aggressive all-rounder to display his captaincy skills.