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'Not Easy For Him To Play,': Former India Wicketkeeper On Hardik Pandya's Potential Return To Test


Hardik Pandya eyeing Test return [Source: @itPriyanshuhere]Hardik Pandya eyeing Test return [Source: @itPriyanshuhere]

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been in the spotlight recently due to his rigorous training, sparking speculation about his return to Test cricket. Pandya, who has been absent from cricket for two months, has been sharing glimpses of his workouts and practice sessions on social media. Among these, the sight of him practicing with a red ball has generated excitement. 

The 30-year-old, who last played for India in a T20I against Sri Lanka in July, is now preparing hard for the upcoming three match T20I series against Bangladesh in October. However, what has caught the attention is the potential of Pandya making a comeback in the Test format.

Hardik Pandya’s return to Test cricket would be a significant development for the Men In Blue. The star all rounder has previously played 11 Test matches, scoring 532 runs and picking up 17 wickets. His skills with both bat and ball make him an asset in any format. 

However, his history of injuries and workload management has been a concern for the Indian team management. Pandya’s ability to handle the rigors of Test cricket, especially considering his fitness and injury-prone nature, will be closely monitored before any decisions are made about his inclusion in future Test series.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik recently weighed in on the possibility of Pandya’s return to the Test arena. Speaking on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show, Karthik expressed a mix of hope and skepticism. While he acknowledged that Pandya’s skill set would be valuable, especially in overseas conditions like Australia, Karthik was candid about his doubts.

 “Wow, that would be really good. Especially someone with his skill set, so fast bowling and batting in Australia would be good, but to be very honest, I would be very surprised, because I know his body; it’s not that easy for him to play Test cricket where he is today, so I again will be surprised,” Karthik said. 

What Lies Ahead for Hardik Pandya?

In all likelihood, Pandya is set to return to action in the T20I series against Bangladesh and is also expected to play white-ball cricket for Baroda in the upcoming domestic season. If Pandya's body responds well and he manages his workload efficiently, fans may witness his return to Test cricket, potentially during India’s series against Australia.