Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has reportedly cleared the fitness test ahead of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 15th season on Wednesday. Roped in as the marquee signing of the new franchise – Gujarat Titans, all-rounder Pandya is set to make his captaincy debut in the 15th season of domestic cricket’s biggest extravaganza. The injury-ravaged all-rounder has received the clearance to feature in the IPL 2022 after passing the Yo-Yo test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Earlier, Pandya had checked in at the NCA for the fitness test in the build-up to the IPL 2022 on Monday. The star all-rounder was roped in by the Gujarat Titans franchise for a staggering fee of INR 15 crore. Pandya’s teammate Rashid Khan will also earn INR 15 crore for representing the Gujarat-based franchise in the IPL 2022. Pandya’s Gujarat Titans will lock horns with KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants in their tournament opener at the Wankhede Stadium on March 24.

According to a report filed by news agency PTI, it has been learned that Pandya bowled at the NCA and the star all-rounder cleared the Yo-Yo Test quite comfortably. “Let’s make it clear. Fitness test clearance is only for those who are coming back from injury. In case of Hardik, it was about getting a general fitness assessment going into the gruelling IPL season,” a BCCI source told the news agency. As per the report, the NCA team didn’t even mandate Pandya to bowl for the fitness test. However, the star all-rounder “insisted” on bowling as the star player wants to make an impressive comeback to the national team.

“He didn’t need to bowl at NCA but he has bowled for considerable time and in the range of 135 kmph. On the second day, he crossed the Yo-Yo test with flying colours with a 17-plus score which is much above the cut-off level,” the source added. The report also stated that Delhi Capitals (DC) opener Prithvi Shaw has failed the Yo-Yo test.