Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been on a two-month break from cricket, has once again sparked interest with his recent training videos. Hardik, who is set to play in the upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh, has been focusing on his fitness and practicing in Vadodara. However, what grabbed attention was his use of the red ball during practice sessions, leading to speculations of a possible return to Test cricket.
Why the Red Ball Practice?
The sight of Hardik practicing with the red ball caught many by surprise, as it led fans to wonder whether he is eyeing a comeback in Test cricket. After all, it has been six years since he last played in the longer format for India, with his last Test appearance dating back to 2018. With videos of him bowling and batting with the red ball circulating online, rumors began swirling about a possible Test return.
Parthiv Patel Clarifies Hardik’s Intentions
Amidst all the speculation, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has stepped in to clear the air. During a program on Geo Cinema, Parthiv, who hails from Gujarat, revealed that Hardik’s use of the red ball was simply because the white limited-overs ball was not available during his practice sessions. Parthiv further mentioned that despite the rumors, Hardik has no plans to return to first-class cricket or Test matches anytime soon.
Hardik’s Last Test Match Was in 2018
For those wondering if Hardik’s body is ready for the grind of Test cricket, Parthiv offered some insight. According to him, Hardik’s body doesn’t seem prepared for the rigors of four- or five-day cricket. Since suffering an injury during India’s tour of England in 2018, Hardik has stayed away from the longest format of the game. His last first-class match was in December of that year. Despite being a key player in limited-overs formats, Hardik has focused on shorter formats for the past several years.
Hardik Pandya’s Test Record
Though Pandya hasn’t played Test cricket for a while, he still boasts a decent record in the format. He has scored 532 runs in 11 Test matches at an average of 31, including one century and four half-centuries. On the bowling side, he has taken 17 wickets for India in Tests.
While fans may be hopeful of seeing Hardik don the whites again, for now, it looks like he will continue to focus on his limited-overs career. His immediate goal remains the upcoming series against Bangladesh, where he will be back in action soon.
