To the delight of billions of Indian cricket fans, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has cleared his fitness test with “flying colours” at the National Cricket Academy.

Heading into the IPL 2022, the Baroda all-rounder’s fitness was a cause of concern but his recent results have put all that to rest. Apart from his overall fitness, he has impressed the NCA experts with his bowling as well, clicking above 135 kmph consistently.

According to a PTI report, the Gujarat Titans skipper achieved an impressive score of 17-plus in the Yo-Yo test, which has become a benchmark for fitness in recent years.

“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 colours with a 17-plus score which is much above the cut-off level,” a source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Earlier, there were reports suggesting that the BCCI wouldn’t allow the 28-year-old to take part in the cash-rich league unless he cleared his fitness test.

With just over a week left in the start of the T20 extravaganza, it has come as great news for all the Gujarat Titans supporters, who wanted a fully fit leader commanding their side and leading by example.

However, this news received a mixed response on the micro-blogging site. There were people who wished the fast-bowling all-rounder for the upcoming season and hoped he did justice to his immense talent.

Then there were those who still had doubts whether he would be able to produce the result on the field. Questioning his loyalty, some fans argued that he got fit only because he was being paid heavily by his franchise.

After acing this fitness test, it’s clear that Hardik will be seen bowling at full tilt for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. The all-rounder knew that he was ready to bowl but wanted to keep fans guessing.

When asked about the same at the Gujarat Titans’ jersey launch event a couple of days back, he had given a rather silly response saying: “Sir, it would be a surprise, so let it be a surprise.”

Hardik’s response had caused a huge outrage on social media, with people flocking Twitter to bash the all-rounder.

Talking about his Yo-Yo Test, it’s not clear exactly how much he scored in the test but it was good enough to clear the test comfortably. But there are players in the Indian team who have scored much more than what Hardik did in the same drill.

A score of 16.5 is the bare minimum a player requires to clear the Yo-Yo test and Hardik certainly cleared that with quite an ease. However, compared to other top cricketers like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, he still has a long way to go. 

The former India skipper, regarded among the fittest cricketers in the world, notched up a score of 19 on the same parameters.

Hardik’s score is good but there is still room for improvement.

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