Out-of-favour India all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Monday (March 14) reported at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, PTI reported.

According to the report, Hardik will undergo fitness tests for the next couple of days before he gets clearance to play in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Notably, the 28-year-old will lead Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022 season.

Pandya has been in and out of the Indian team due to fitness issues lately. After going through back surgery in 2019, he has struggled to bowl his full quota of overs regularly. He was last seen in action during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, wherein he bowled only four overs and failed to claim a wicket.

It remains to be seen whether the all-rounder gets clearance to bowl full tilt in the cash-rich tournament.

"Hardik will be at the NCA for next two days and appear in the various fitness tests. He is a centrally contracted cricketer and has not played any cricket since T20 World Cup in UAE," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"He would need to pass the fitness test as it has been mandatory for some time now. Last year, even Shreyas Iyer appeared for a fitness test post shoulder surgery before playing IPL," he added.

As per the report, Hardik had bowled in a couple of sessions during Titans’ recently organised five-day training camp in Baroda.

It is learnt that the flamboyant Baroda cricketer is completely ready when it comes to batting and fielding fitness.

However, it is reported that he might still be bowling at 75 per cent of his full potential or what it was before he picked up a lower back injury.

"If Gujarat is looking at a pure batter, a skipper and a finisher, Hardik, in all likelihood, is ready but it will be interesting to see what is NCA's Sports Science and Medicine team's take on his bowling. Is he ready to bowl at 135 clicks upwards?," PTI quoted the source privy to developments.

The IPL 2022 season will get underway on March 26 with the CSK-KKR clash, while the Gujarat Titans will open their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on March 28.

(With PTI inputs)