India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to undergo a mandatory fitness assessment at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru before he is officially cleared for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan.
The move comes as part of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) standard procedure, where key players returning from injury or workload management must prove match readiness before selection confirmation.
Fitness test at BCCI CoE
According to reports, Pandya will report to the CoE on June 2, where he will undergo a series of fitness drills and medical evaluations. He is expected to remain at the facility for around a week, during which the medical and support staff will assess his bowling workload capacity and overall match fitness.
The ODI series against Afghanistan is scheduled to begin on June 11, making his clearance timeline crucial for India’s squad finalisation.
Back injury concerns and workload management
Pandya has been managing recurring back stiffness and workload concerns since the IPL season, with selectors previously stating that his inclusion in the ODI squad would depend entirely on medical clearance.
He has not consistently bowled his full quota of overs in recent matches, prompting the team management to closely monitor his fitness before returning him to 50-over cricket.
BCCI’s selection stance
The Indian selection committee has already made it clear that both Pandya and other senior players will only be available if they meet fitness benchmarks set at the CoE.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has previously indicated that final team composition will depend on updated medical reports from the BCCI’s fitness unit.
Why this matters for India
Pandya remains a key asset in India’s ODI setup due to his role as a pace-bowling all-rounder, offering balance in both batting and bowling departments. However, his recent injury history has forced the team to adopt a cautious approach to his workload.
What happens next
If Pandya clears the fitness tests in Bengaluru, he is expected to join the squad ahead of the ODI series. If not, India may have to consider backup all-rounder options just days before the series begins.
The final decision is expected after his assessment at the CoE, which will determine his availability for the upcoming matches.
