Xtra Time Web Desk: India's all-rounder Hardik Pandya has sparked renewed interest in his Test cricket comeback after posting a video of himself bowling with a red ball during a training session in England. The Instagram post quickly garnered attention from fans and cricket experts, fueling speculation about a possible return to red-ball cricket.
Pandya, who has been a key figure in India's limited-overs side, has not played a Test match since September 2018. After undergoing back surgery in 2019, the 30-year-old has focused primarily on white-ball cricket. Despite this, his 11-Test career, which includes 523 runs and 17 wickets, showcases his potential as a pace-bowling all-rounder—a role India has struggled to fill consistently in the longest format.
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The video of Pandya's red-ball training has stirred debate on whether he might be eyeing a return to Test cricket. Although he's currently preparing for the upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh, the footage has raised questions about his Test cricket aspirations. There’s been no official word from Pandya or the team management regarding his intentions.
While Hardik remains one of India's leading pace-bowling all-rounders, finding a suitable replacement has been difficult. Neither Shivam Dube nor Nitish Reddy has been able to fully match his abilities in the Test arena. However, concerns persist about Pandya’s readiness for the format, especially given that he hasn’t participated in domestic red-ball matches recently.
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A senior BCCI official stressed that Pandya's return to Test cricket would require discussions with the team’s management, including selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Rohit Sharma. Without domestic red-ball experience, his selection might face challenges. Pandya has played two T20s since June’s World Cup final and skipped the Duleep Trophy due to workload concerns, leaving his red-ball future uncertain.
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