- Hardik Pandya: Speculations have started about Hardik Pandya’s return to Test cricket. Hardik has given a hint of return to red ball cricket through one of his posts.
Source : Instagram
Hardik Pandya Test Cricket:
Indian cricket team’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya played his last test for Team India in September 2018. Currently, Hardik is focusing only on white ball cricket. If the injury is removed, Hardik is continuously playing white ball cricket for Team India, but suddenly the discussion about Hardik’s return to red ball cricket has intensified. So why did this discussion intensify? Let’s know.
Actually Hardik Pandya shared a post through social media, in which he is seen practicing bowling and batting. The pictures shared by Hardik look ordinary at first glance, but if you look at them carefully, a red ball is seen in Hardik’s hand while bowling. Apart from this, a red ball is seen in front of his bat while batting.
As soon as Hardik was seen with the red ball in his hand, speculations started being made about his return to Test cricket. Commenting on Hardik’s post, a user wrote, “Ready for the Test match.” Another user wrote, “A great comeback in the history of Test cricket.”
However, it is not clear why Hardik is practicing with the red ball. Hardik Pandya is not playing in the Duleep Trophy being played these days. Now questions are being raised whether Hardik is going to return to Test cricket? So the answer to this is not clear at the moment. Now it will be interesting to see whether Hardik returns to the Test team or not.
This is how Hardik’s Test career has been so far
Let us tell you that Hardik Pandya has played 11 Tests in his career so far. While batting in 18 innings of these matches, he scored 532 runs at an average of 31.29, which included 1 century and 4 half-centuries. Apart from this, while bowling in 19 innings, he took 17 wickets.
Hardik Pandya’s journey in Indian cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. Known for his explosive batting, sharp bowling, and electric fielding, Pandya has made a significant impact in limited-overs cricket. However, one burning question has remained on the minds of fans: Will Hardik Pandya return to Test cricket? As reports suggest, the Indian all-rounder is gearing up for a potential comeback to the longest format of the game.
The Test Cricket Hiatus
Pandya last played a Test match for India in 2018, and since then, his appearances in red-ball cricket have been limited due to fitness concerns, especially related to his back. The grueling nature of Test cricket, which demands long spells of bowling and extended batting stints, led to Pandya stepping away from the format to focus on his health and improve his performance in shorter formats. Despite his absence, his skillset has been sorely missed in India’s Test squad, especially overseas, where seam-bowling all-rounders can make a big difference.
Why India Needs Pandya in Tests
India has been one of the top Test sides in recent years, but they have often lacked a genuine seam-bowling all-rounder who can balance the team in challenging conditions abroad. With Pandya in the mix, India would have an aggressive lower-order batsman and a reliable seam bowler capable of providing breakthroughs. His ability to swing the ball and score quick runs makes him a perfect fit for Test cricket, particularly in overseas conditions like England, South Africa, and Australia, where pace bowling thrives.
His last Test series in England saw him contribute with both bat and ball, most notably his 5-wicket haul in Nottingham. This performance was a glimpse of what Pandya could bring to the Test format – a dynamic cricketer who could shift the momentum in India’s favor.
Fitness and Readiness for Test Cricket
Since 2018, Pandya has undergone rehabilitation for his back issues, which had put a question mark on his ability to bowl long spells in Test cricket. Over the last year, Pandya has not only regained his fitness but has also shown immense improvement in his bowling rhythm in white-ball formats. He has been regularly bowling his full quota of overs in ODIs and T20Is, suggesting that his fitness levels are now up to the rigors of Test cricket.
In recent interviews, Pandya has hinted at his desire to don the white jersey again, stating that his return to Test cricket would be based on his body’s readiness and the team’s requirements. As he gears up for a potential return, Pandya has been focusing on strengthening his back and increasing his workload to ensure that he can handle the demands of Test matches.
The Road to a Test Comeback
The upcoming Test series for India will be crucial, and the possibility of Pandya being included in the squad is growing stronger. India is set to play important overseas tours, and having a seam-bowling all-rounder in the squad would provide much-needed balance.
With Hardik Pandya playing an increasingly crucial role in India’s white-ball teams as a leader and a finisher, his experience and ability to perform under pressure would be a valuable addition to the Test squad.
Challenges Ahead
While a return to Test cricket is on the cards, Pandya will need to prove his readiness in the domestic circuit or during India’s preparatory camps. His ability to bowl longer spells, manage workload, and handle the physical strain will be key factors in his comeback. India’s team management will also be cautious about managing his fitness to avoid any reoccurrence of injury.
Conclusion: A Possible Comeback
Hardik Pandya’s potential return to Test cricket is exciting news for Indian fans. If he makes a comeback, it will provide India with an invaluable asset in overseas conditions and give them greater flexibility in team combinations. As Pandya gears up and works on his fitness, the cricketing world awaits the return of this dynamic all-rounder in the traditional format.
This blog offers insight into Hardik Pandya’s Test cricket journey, fitness concerns, and the significance of his return to the longest format of the game. Fans will eagerly anticipate whether Pandya can once again showcase his skills in Test whites.