Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is reportedly all set to make his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket. The star cricketer is all set to play white-ball cricket for Baroda in the domestic circuit and could also be seen in action in the Ranji Trophy.
Hardik Pandya has not played a Test match or a first-class match since 2018 due to fitness issues. He has suffered several serious injuries in recent years and has stayed away from the longest format of the game to protect himself from the limited overs.
However, the 30-year-old could once again don the white jersey this year. According to a report by Sports Tak, a top source from the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has said that there are rumours that the all-rounder will play white-ball matches and in all likelihood, he will also feature in the red-ball matches.
Last week, Hardik Pandya sparked speculation about his return to Test cricket by posting a video of himself bowling with the red ball during a training session in England. He is reportedly keen on returning to the Test team.
The source claimed that Pandya is considering returning to the Indian Test squad for the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, scheduled to begin later this year. Pandya could also be part of the Indian Test squad for the home series against New Zealand.
Pandya last played for Team India during the T20 series against Sri Lanka in July. Interestingly, he was not part of the Indian team in the three-match ODI series against the Islanders. Prior to that, he had shone with bat and ball in India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign in June.
Hardik Pandya’s Test career:
Before suffering the setbacks of injuries, Hardik Pandya had been a great performer in Test cricket. The all-rounder played 11 Tests and scored 532 runs with the help of a century and four half-centuries, including a 48-ball fifty on debut. With the ball, Pandya took 17 wickets, including five wickets in England.
