Hardik undergoing rehab in Mumbai

New Delhi, Dec 07 (PTI):
Out of favour India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has decided to skip Vijay Hazare Trophy (National One Dayers) starting across the country from Wednesday as he is undergoing an extensive rehabilitation programme in order to regain his bowling fitness.
“The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) had sent an e-mail to Hardik enquiring about his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He has rarely played for Baroda in last three years. However he gave a one-line reply that he is currently doing rehab in Mumbai,” a senior official privy to developments in BCA told PTI on conditions of anonymity. Asked what is the injury he is carrying at the moment, the official said: “Even the BCA doesn’t know.
It is understood that he is trying to do some strength and conditioning module for his back which is no longer in best of shape post surgery in 2019,” the source revealed.
The official informed that Hardik’s elder brother Krunal had joined Baroda’s pre-Hazare camp for a week after he was instructed by the state board that attending the camp is mandatory for being part of the final squad.
“BCA told Krunal that he can’t just land up during tournaments and he has to be a part of the camp. Then he came and trained with the team for a week,” the source said.
If Hardik doesn’t play the domestic tournaments, he will not be considered for a comeback in the Indian side for the white ball tournaments.
“The current national selection committee has told all the players that all those who are not in the India squad should go back and play domestic cricket — Hazare and Ranji Trophy,” the source added.