Hardik Pandya reports to NCA, fitness test to decide Asia Cup 2025 fate

Hardik Pandya checks into NCA for a two-day fitness test ahead of Asia Cup 2025. His availability will be key for India’s balance as selectors finalise the squad this month.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has checked into the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for a routine two-day fitness assessment, a decisive step in determining his availability for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, starting September 9.

The Mumbai Indians captain, 31, has been away from competitive cricket since the conclusion of IPL 2025. While there have been no recent injury setbacks, the BCCI’s medical and support staff will run him through standard testing protocols to gauge physical readiness for international cricket.

Moreover, around August 11 and 12, Pandya will undergo a series of evaluations, including strength and endurance checks, sprint and agility tests, as well as workload monitoring, to ensure he can cope with the demands of back-to-back matches in a multi-nation tournament.

Pandya has been training in Mumbai for the past month, gradually building up bowling workloads and match simulations. The assessment at NCA will provide the selectors with the data they need before finalising the squad. Given his all-round skills and leadership experience, a fully fit Pandya remains a crucial asset in India’s middle order and as a seam-bowling option in subcontinent conditions.

Also present at the NCA is India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who is still in recovery mode following sports hernia surgery in June. SKY has resumed light batting and fielding drills but is believed to be at least another week away from full clearance. His progress will also be monitored closely as the selectors weigh their options for the Asia Cup squad.

Earlier, batter Shreyas Iyer completed his own NCA assessment between July 27 and 29, signalling readiness for a comeback after a frustrating injury layoff. With Shubman Gill tipped to be named vice-captain, the selection panel is set to make key decisions based on the NCA reports in the coming days.

The Asia Cup holds extra significance this year, serving as an important preparatory platform ahead of the Champions Trophy and other major assignments. For head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management, Pandya’s availability would bring much-needed balance, both in terms of batting depth and bowling flexibility.

The Indian squad announcement is expected in the third week of August, leaving little room for uncertainty. All eyes now turn to Bengaluru, where Pandya’s fitness verdict could well shape the final combination that takes the field next month.

Read more: Former India captain addresses future of Kohli-Rohit in ODI Cricket

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