Hardik Pandya, India’s swashbuckling all-rounder, has sparked speculation about a potential return to Test cricket after posting a video of himself practicing with a red ball on Instagram. However, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has cast doubt on the possibility, citing Pandya’s injury history and the physical demands of the longest format.
Pandya, who hasn’t played a Test match since September 2018, underwent back surgery in 2019. Patel believes that Pandya’s body may not be able to withstand the rigors of four-day and five-day matches.
“I’m not looking at Hardik Pandya (in Tests),” Patel said on Jio cinema show during the second India vs Bangladesh Test in Kanpur. “He was practicing with the red ball only because the white ball wasn’t available. I don’t think his body allows four-day and five-day matches. He has to play at least one first-class game (before being considered for selection in Tests), which is very unlikely.”
Last year, Pandya was offered a place in the World Test Championship final against Australia but declined, stating that he did not want to be a regular Test player.
Pandya’s last first-class appearance was in December 2018. He also skipped this year’s Duleep Trophy due to workload management.
Patel’s comments echo concerns raised by other experts about Pandya’s fitness and durability. The all-rounder has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, including back, shoulder, and hamstring issues.
If Pandya does not return to Test cricket, it would be a significant blow to India’s hopes of regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from Australia in the upcoming series. Pandya’s all-round abilities, including his aggressive batting and effective medium-pace bowling, would be a valuable asset to the team.
However, it appears that Pandya’s focus will remain on limited-overs cricket, where he has established himself as one of the world’s leading all-rounders.
