The flamboyant Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be leading the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Gujarat Titans in the 15th edition of the tournament. Now he has passed the mandatory ‘Yo-Yo’ Test comfortably at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He hasn’t been playing any form of competitive cricket since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and Venkatesh Iyer has been playing as a fast-bowling all-rounder in the Indian team in his absence.

According to a report in New Indian Express, Hardik Pandya passed the tests during his two days at the National Cricket Academy with flying colors, which is a good sign for Gujarat Titans as well as Team India.

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One of the anonymous sources of PTI in BCCI said, “Let’s make it clear. Fitness test clearance is only for those who are coming back from injury. In the case of Hardik, it was about getting a general fitness assessment going into the grueling IPL season. He is an asset and one needed to check his current fitness standards.”

Also, there was no need for Hardik Pandya to bowl at the National Cricket Academy as it was not made mandatory in his fitness assessment module but he bowled for a considerable time at a good speed.

The source explained, “He didn’t need to bowl at NCA but he has bowled for a considerable time and in the range of 135 kmph. On the second day, he crossed the Yo-Yo test with flying colors with a 17-plus score which is much above the cut-off level.”

According to the same report, the young Indian opener Prithvi Shaw, who will be plying his trade for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has failed to pass the Yo-Yo Test. Shaw who has been out of India’s scheme of things for a considerable amount of time has scored less than 15 in the Yo-Yo test and the qualification score is 16.5 for men.

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Explaining the same the source said, “These are just fitness updates. Obviously, it doesn’t stop Prithvi from playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL. It’s just a fitness parameter and not the be all and end all. Look, he has played three Ranji matches back-to-back. Once you play three first-class games on the bounce, the fatigue can also affect your Yo-Yo score. If Prithvi is not being repeatedly considered, then perhaps his fitness standards aren’t up to the mark, as in what is expected of a Team India player.”