Hardik Pandya sweats it out in a batting session at the NCA

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is currently sweating it out under the Rahul Dravid-led NCA in a bid to return to optimum fitness for the upcoming season. Hardik hasn’t played a competitive game since India’s third Twenty20 International against South Africa due to his lower-back issues that have plagued him since the 2018 Asia Cup.

Pandya underwent surgery in England and was slated to make his comeback in the ongoing tour of New Zealand. He was scheduled to ease into the national side by playing a four-day game against New Zealand A but the mercurial all-rounder was replaced by Vijay Shankar at the last moment, and it was reported that the reason behind it was Pandya wanted to ensure that he had indeed recovered to optimum fitness.

And, it seems like the all-rounder is gradually returning to full fitness. On February 13, Pandya was seen batting in the nets where he looked at ease in his movements.

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

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 12, 2020

Hardik Pandya slated to make his comeback to competitive cricket

According to the recent reports, the star all-rounder is expected to make his comeback to competitive cricket in the upcoming Dr DY Patil T20 tournament, scheduled to take place later this month. Hardik Pandya will be representing a Reliance outfit in what is an annual corporate tournament.

While there is no confirmation whether he will be available for the South African ODI series in March, the all-rounder is expected to take part in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League where the Mumbai Indians will look to defend their title.

Earlier former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan had advised Pandya to take his time as far as making a comeback from the injury is concerned.

“For MI, IPL is still a long way away, and for Hardik, it’s important he should take his time to come back 120 per cent. I can say it by experience when anyone goes through injuries, it’s not about coming back, it’s about how you come back.

You have to be patient through that process and you have to listen to the team which is around you – the support staff, be it your doctor, your physio, your trainers. Those are the key people one should communicate with and control controllables,” Zaheer Khan said as quoted by Republic.

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