Picture Credits: Twitter
Ahead of IPL 2022, BCCI had asked a few players to report to National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in order to prove their fitness. There were many Indian cricketers who were under scrutiny considering their recent injuries, with a question mark over their participation in upcoming season of cash-rich league.
One among them was Delhi Capitals' youngster Prithvi Shaw who eventually had a shocking session at NCA. As reported by PTI, the 22-year-old failed the 'Yo-Yo' test which happened this week. Shaw scored less than 15 in the test which has a benchmark of 16.5 to clear.
Shaw can play for DC in IPL 2022
Notably, it doesn't rule him out to play for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022, primarily because he is not a centrally contracted player of Indian national team.
“These are just fitness updates. Obviously, it doesn’t stop Prithvi from playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL. It’s just a fitness parameter and not the be all and end all... Look, he has played three Ranji matches back-to-back. Once you play three first-class games on the bounce, the fatigue can also affect your Yo-Yo score,” a source told PTI.
He further stated that the fitness concerns of Shaw could also possibly be the reason why the batsman has fallen down the pecking order for selection in national side, across all formats.
Hardik Pandya clears the fitness test
Meanwhile, all eyes were on Hardik Pandya at NCA whose participation in IPL would have come under clouds of doubt if he had failed in the fitness test. But much to everyone's delight, the all-rounder registered an impressive 17+ score in the 'Yo-Yo' test to prove that he is fully-fit.
"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 informed.
As a result, BCCI will now have no issues while allowing Hardik Pandya to play for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 where the all-rounder will lead the franchise.