Hardik Pandya’s return to Test cricket may now become a reality. According to a report by RevSportz, the all-rounder may once again don the white jersey of the Indian national cricket team, but it will be a short one, especially with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 just around the corner.
The report claimed that Hardik Pandya’s return to Test cricket depends on his fitness. And fitness is how an all-rounder’s body reacts when he is playing match simulations. That means he could be close to playing the longest format of the game.
There have been talks of Hardik Pandya’s return to Tests after the all-rounder was recently spotted practicing with the red ball.
Don’t be surprised to see Hardik Pandya return to Test cricket, albeit for a short period. It all depends on how his body reacts when he does match simulations etc. Don’t rule it out.
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) September 19, 2024
The talk of Hardik Pandya’s Test comeback came after the all-rounder was recently spotted practicing with the red ball. For the past few weeks, the top all-rounder has been practicing with the red ball, which has led to a lot of speculation that he will make a Test comeback.
Hardik Pandya’s red-ball training over the past few weeks could be a sign that the team management has told him to prepare for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as India prepare to tour Australia for a five-match Test series later this year.
India have lacked a proper fast-bowling all-rounder over the past few years, and that has undoubtedly hampered their combinations. They have used Shardul Thakur in that role and he has done a decent job, but it is fair to say that Hardik Pandya’s quality is unparalleled.
Pandya has been away from Test cricket since 2018. He last played for India in the longest format of the game in the Test series against England. In his short career so far, he has done some amazing things for the team.
Pandya played the last 11 Test matches for India, amassing 523 runs and taking 17 wickets, including a Test century and a fifr. He has played important knocks for the team in overseas conditions, including a crucial knock of 92 against the South African national cricket team in difficult conditions.
He also has a decent first-class career, scoring 1,351 runs at an average of 31.02 in 29 matches, scoring one century and 10 fifties. His highest score is 108 and he has also taken 48 wickets, with best figures of 5/28.
If Hardik Pandya fulfils all the requirements in terms of fitness, he is likely to feature in the team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. If he gets into the team, it will be a completely different team and they will have a good chance of winning the three-consecutive Test series in Australia.
Pandya has proven himself on the big stage and has performed well under pressure. His return to Tests is highly anticipated. Indian fans will be hoping that he will feature in the Australia series and help the team win.
