India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been out of the team since the T20 World Cup last October, has been called up for the camp underway at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore from March 5.

Cricbuzz understands that the 28-year-old Baroda cricketer, named skipper by the new Gujarat Titans franchise recently, has sought time to join the camp. He is expected to be part of it in a couple of days.

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Keeping the October T20 World Cup in mind, with Indian coach Rahul Dravid and selectors driving the process and the camp at the NCA, Bangalore is part of the preparation for the same. The player assembly, for about 25 of them, apparently, has only been for the white-ball specialists.

"Although the World Cup is more than six months away, planning can start now. The coaches and selectors want to assess the fitness of the players and take stock of things for the big event," said a source in the know of developments.

Hardik Pandya being called for the camp means he is in the scheme of the Indian team management and could be in contention for a berth in the World Cup squad. Cricbuzz also reported that Pandya may be recalled for the South Africa T20I series at home, after considering his performance in the IPL 2022.

Multiple sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed that the all-rounder will attend the camp.

(Cricbuzz inputs)