Hardik Pandya Didn't Fail Fitness Test, Wants To Work On His Back - Report

India’s talisman all-rounder Hardik Pandya could not make it to the T20I squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. It is reported that Pandya’s rehabilitation process is taking more time than expected. Meanwhile, it was also reported that Pandya had cleared the fitness Test but he is not 100% fit according to the physio.

In fact, now it is known that there was no specific fitness Test for Hardik Pandya. However, there was an intense bowling session for the all-rounder and he could not perform up to the mark in the same. Thus, it was decided to leave him out of the New Zealand T20I series as he wanted to further work on his back.

Pandya wants to take his time.

“To give you the real picture, he wasn’t satisfied after the high-intensity bowling workload test. There are few players who are tested based on workload. For example, a player who is coming back from a back injury, he is tested on the basis of his performance in a high-intensity bowling session.

“The player is tested after he spends more than two to three hours at the nets. Now, when the player bowls for that duration, the bowling is monitored. Rhythm, speed, accuracy and how the player is coping with his plans and delivering is what is basically tested. So, if the body can’t take what the player has in the mind, it is not responding to the workload. Pandya was of the opinion that he wants to work on his back further,” the source explained as quoted by IANS.

The sources added that Pandya will clear the Yo-Yo Test even in his sleep as he is fit as a fiddle. Pandya is looking at the South Africa series to make his comeback into the International format, according to the sources

“Yo-Yo and all he will clear in his sleep. He is looking at a South Africa series return and will continue to work on his back till then as he doesn’t wish to take any half measures.”

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya had himself said that he would be eyeing to make a comeback in the mid-way of the New Zealand tour. Pandya has missed the home season due to his back injury and he would like to make a roaring comeback.

“I will be coming back before the New Zealand series, mid-way actually. That was the plan that I play some international games, the IPL and then the World T20. The biggest concern was the World T20 which touch wood is now in place.

“I was managing the back, tried everything possible not to get into surgery or anything. After trying everything, we came to the conclusion that it wasn’t working. I noticed that I was not able to give my 100 percent and that meant I was not doing justice to myself and the team. That is when I decided to go for the surgery,” he had said.

Hardik Pandya will not look to hurry out of the injury and he would aim to take his time before returning to the national colors. We had recently seen that Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s injury was not properly handled by the management and Pandya will not like to make the same mistake.