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When A Gruesome Back Injury Shattered Hardik Pandya And His Flying Test Career Forever

Akshita Patel

Hardik Pandya was last seen in Test cricket in 2018 [Source: @ICC, @Dubaiinformer/X.com]Hardik Pandya was last seen in Test cricket in 2018 [Source: @ICC, @Dubaiinformer/X.com]

Hardik Pandya’s journey in Test cricket began with spark and promise. A true all-rounder who could swing the ball and smash centuries, he added a new angle to India's red-ball setup. But that brilliance was extinguished too prematurely, as injury kept Hardik away from the Test scene, and he hasn't been seen since.

In 2018, Pandya hit a personal low when he hurt his lower back while playing an Asia Cup match. What followed was a long and painful road of treatment, rehab, and heartbreak. 

Though he managed a brief comeback in limited-overs formats, his Test career took the biggest hit.

Hardik Pandya’s Test Career Ended In 2018 

In October 2019, Hardik Pandya finally underwent back surgery in London. It was supposed to be a turning point.  But recovery proved tougher than expected. 

In early 2020, when fans were hoping to see him back for the Test series in New Zealand, the BCCI confirmed that he had been ruled out.  He was not fully fit and would remain at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. 

The news was more than just a missed series; it marked the beginning of his exit from Test cricket. Hardik was never selected for red-ball duties again. 

He had once smashed a century in Sri Lanka, taken five wickets in England, and looked set to be India’s answer to Ben Stokes. But the back injury changed it all. 

Selectors grew wary of risking his fitness in the gruelling format. Pandya himself admitted in later interviews that Test cricket was too demanding on his body. Though he continues to shine in T20Is and ODIs, fans often wonder what could have been. A fit Hardik in Tests might have added balance India sorely needed overseas.

In present day, India's search for a quality fast-bowling all-rounder in Test cricket is ongoing. Nitish Reddy came in with must promise in Australia last year. However, injuries have begun to take a toll on him early and future remains grim.