'Hardik Pandya wants more time to work on his action and his back,' reveals a BCCI source

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been on the sidelines for a good four months now. Pandya, who had undergone surgery for his recurrent lower-back issues, last played an international fixture for India during the home T20I series against South Africa back in  September. Since then, the all-rounder has been recuperating post his surgery and was expected to make a return to the side on the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Pandya was named in the four-day games which India A is scheduled to play in New Zealand ahead of the senior sides’ tour of New Zealand. However, the all-rounder was removed from the squad at the eleventh hour with Vijay Shankar replacing him for the four-day games against New Zealand.

Post his removal from the squad, questions began to galore on his fitness. But, a source in the know of things, has now revealed that there wasn’t any specific fitness test which the all-rounder failed and he just underwent a high-intensity bowling session to check his back. The source revealed that the all-rounder himself wants to work on his action and his troublesome back before targetting an international comeback.

“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.” a source was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

The source also revealed that Hardik Pandya can clear Yo-Yo test even in his sleep

The source further revealed that Pandya can clear Yo-Yo test even in his sleep and he is targetting the home ODI series against South Africa in March for his comeback.

“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.

“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,” he added.

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