India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has failed the fitness test in Mumbai on Saturday. With this, he was removed from India A team as well that is travelling to New Zealand for the upcoming series. All-rounder Vijay Shankar has been named as the replacement and he is headed to New Zealand where they will play two 50-over warm-up games, three List A games and two four-day unofficial Tests as a part of the series. While speaking to IANS, a source in the know of developments confirmed the news of Hardik Pandya.

“Yes, unfortunately, Pandya has failed the fitness test and has been withdrawn from the team. Vijay Shankar is on the flight to New Zealand in his place,” the source confirmed.

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However, the India A team doesn’t undergo the Yo-Yo test anymore, but Pandya failed the mandatory fitness test that a player has to give after making a comeback post-rehabilitation. Though Pandya had himself said earlier that he has been working hard to get fit in time for the second half of the New Zealand tour. In fact, he was about to pick for the shadow tour by the national selectors.

While speaking to IANS, Hardik Pandya had said: “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 per cent and that meant I was not doing justice to myself and the team. That is when I decided to go for the surgery,” Hardik Pandya shared.