Watch: Hardik Pandya Returns To Nets At National Cricket Academy

In a big boost to Team India, star allrounder Hardik Pandya underwent a productive net session at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on Wednesday. He is recovering from a back injury and now looks set to return to action any time soon. Hardik Pandya last played for India during the T20I series against South Africa in September.

He has not played Test cricket since the Southampton match against England in September 2018 while his last ODI appearance came in the World Cup. The pace-bowling allrounder was suffering with the back problem since mid 2018 when it first occurred during the Asia Cup.

He finally decided to go under the knife last year. The decision was taken after he consulted spinal surgeon James Allibone in the United Kingdom. The 26-year old underwent a successful surgery in October last year to treat an acute lower-back injury and has remained out of action since.

In December, he was named in the India A squad for the one-day games in New Zealand. However, he was later pulled out of the team as he was not match ready. The selectors had picked him in the squad without testing him in the Ranji Trophy matches.

Later, the allrounder had also taken part in a practice session with the Indian team before an ODI against Australia in Mumbai last month. But few days later, Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand after failing to regain full match fitness.

Well, Hardik Pandya is now looking all set to return to the cricket field for competitive games. He seen facing throwdown in the nets at the NCA and did not look uncomfortable at all.

Here is a clip showing Hardik Pandya’s training:

We spotted Hardik Pandya in the nets ? working his way back to full fitness pic.twitter.com/yTZJvEsVRd

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 12, 2020

His fitness is important for India’s T20 World Cup plans as his fast-bowling and hard-hitting abilities give the team the right balance. According to reports, the allrounder could return to action through the DY Patil T20 Tournament later this month.