Hardik Pandya has been asked to join a fitness camp currently being organised at the National Cricket Academy by the BCCI in Bangalore ahead of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League, says a report by Cricbuzz.
The premier Indian allrounder, it is learnt, will reach down south and join the camp over the next two days as the BCCI aims to look after the fitness of all of its white-ball specialists ahead of the IPL 2022 in what is a T20 World Cup year.
The 10-day NCA camp features those players who are not currently involved in the Test series against Sri Lanka and are an integral part of the plans for the World Cup in Australia in October-November. At the NCA, new director of the academy VVS Laxman will be overseeing the camp and give his feedback to the team management led by head coach Rahul Dravid, the selection committee and the BCCI apex council.
Being called in for the camp would be a cause of relief for Hardik, who has fallen out of favour for the selectors over the past four months. The fast-bowling allrounder last turned up for India in mid-November when the then Virat Kohli-led side finished the T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE.
It had been reported that the 28-year-old had asked for a break from the team management to completely resolve his injury issues. But chief selector Chetan Sharma hinted Hardik had been dropped from the ODIs and T20Is, as he is unable to bowl full-tilt and provide an ideal balance to the side like he once did.
Hardik underwent a back surgery in October 2019 and made his return to competitive cricket with the following year’s edition of the IPL. But ever since, he has been a sporadic presence on the bowling front and not bowled at his usual speeds.
At his best, however, the cricketer formed an impactful combo, offering brute power-hitting skills and fifth-bowling duties. Hardik will make his return to competitive cricket via IPL 2022, where he will be leading new entrants Gujarat Titans.
