Ace India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is in line to make a shock return to Test cricket for the first time in six years. Having last appeared in the whites for the country in 2018, Pandya is now gearing up for the five-match Test series Down Under starting November 22.
Per the latest reports, Pandya has put in hard yards under the watchful eyes of Gujarat Titans assistant coach Naeem Amin at the Mighty Willow Cricket Academy in London lately, with his training video doing rounds on social media.
Pandya, who in the past claimed to be opting out of playing the longer format, seems to have changed his mind, and going by Amin’s words (on his Instagram post), Pandya has pushed above his weight during the training, showing the willingness to remain available for selection in all formats and not just in ODIs and T20Is.
“What a fantastic experience working with Hardik Pandya over the last few weeks. We worked on several things, and I’m excited to see his progress in the future,” Amin wrote on his Instagram post.
“Working with a player at the highest level can teach you so much. The insights have been invaluable, and it’s also been great fun. As with all of the high-profile players I have worked with, I’m very appreciative that Hardik has trusted me to provide input on his game. Well done, and all the best, brother,” he continued.
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Bangladesh T20Is next in line for Pandya
Hardik Pandya has had a mixed-match 2023. While his return to his former IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians, this time as a skipper, was no short of a troublesome run for him and the team as they finished last on the points table, the right-hander played a handy role in helping India win the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas in June.
Out of the team since the Sri Lanka T20Is, for personal reasons, Pandya is all set to return to the squad for the Bangladesh T20Is.
With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja having retired from the shortest format, and the BCCI selectors said to be resting some key players from this series considering workload management, Pandya could be among the few high-profile names to be picked.
India is scheduled to travel to South Africa for four T20Is just before the start of the five-match Test series against Australia and the selectors will consider Pandya’s case for the tour Down Under.
Meanwhile, premium seamer Mohammed Shami will also be fit before the Australian series, per the latest reports, with Team India benefitting from more seam bowlers.
