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Looks like Hardik Pandya's return to red-ball cricket is imminent. India's star all-rounder is set to play white-ball cricket for Baroda and is also likely to be available for red-ball action for the same.
Hardik Pandya set to return to red-ball action
A top source in the Baroda Cricket Association told Sports Tak that there are fillers that Hardik Pandya will be playing white-ball for home team and in all likelihood will turn up for the red-ball game.
Pandya has recently been seen practicing with the red ball, indicating his intentions to return to the longer format. The source suggested that the star all-rounder, who played a crucial role in leading India to T20 World Cup title triumph, is eyeing a potential return to the Indian Test team, particularly with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar 2024-2025 series in mind. Moreover, he may also participate in Test matches during the New Zealand series, which could further strengthen his case for the Australian tour.
Pandya has not played Test cricket since 2018, but his recent red-ball bowling practice has sparked speculation about a possible return to the format. Fans were surprised to see Pandya bowling with the red ball, as it's a rare sight these days. While the Indian team is currently facing Bangladesh in a Test series, Pandya is preparing for the upcoming T20I series against the same opponent. The three-match T20I series begins on October 6 in Gwalior.
In a video shared by Pandya, he can be seen bowling full-tilt with the red ball and then switching to batting, showcasing his all-round skills.
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Watch the video here
Notably, the 30-year-old opted to focus on white-ball cricket to manage his workload, leading to his exclusion from the Indian Test team. This decision by the BCCI aims to keep him injury-free for the upcoming white-ball tournaments. However, his recent video practicing with the red ball has sparked speculation among fans about a potential Test comeback. Before that, Pandya will play a crucial role in the T20I series against Bangladesh.
Pandya last played for India in the T20I series against Sri Lanka in July, following India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. He has played only 11 Test matches for India, scoring 532 runs and taking 17 wickets. In first-class cricket, he has recorded 1,351 runs and 48 wickets. While it remains uncertain whether BCCI will consider Pandya for future Test matches, his upcoming T20I series will undoubtedly excite fans.
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