Hardik Pandya's Test Cricket return blocked before IND vs AUS Tests

Former Team India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik recently opened up about all-rounder Hardik Pandya's return to the Indian Test squad. Dinesh Karthik said that he would be very surprised if Hardik Pandya returned to the Test team after a hiatus of more than six years in the format.

Recent media reports claimed that Hardik is interested in making a comeback to Test cricket. He may represent Baroda in the 2024-25 domestic season. The 30-year-old recently shared videos of himself bowling with a red ball in the nets, which fueled speculation about his return to red-ball cricket.

That Would Be Really Good - Dinesh Karthik

Speaking on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show, Dinesh Karthik shared his thoughts on Hardik Pandya's potential return to Test cricket. He acknowledged that Hardik's skills in fast bowling and batting would be beneficial in Australia.

However, Karthik said that he would be surprised if Hardik Pandya could successfully make a comeback to the Test team. The former Indian cricketer raised concerns about Pandya's physical condition and the challenges of playing in the format.

“Wow, that would be really good. Especially someone with his skill set, so fast bowling and batting in Australia would be good, but to be very honest, I would be very surprised because I know his body; it’s not that easy for him to play Test cricket where he is today, so I again will be surprised,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show.

India started the Test season with a two-match series against Bangladesh. After the ongoing series, they will host New Zealand for three Tests. The team will then travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The management wants to include a fast-bowling all-rounder to strengthen the squad.

When Did Hardik Pandya Last Play Test Cricket?

Hardik Pandya is currently working hard to return to competitive cricket after taking a two-month break. He last played for India in a T20I match against Sri Lanka on July 30, 2024, which India won in the Super Over. He missed the ODI segment of the Sri Lanka tour due to personal reasons.

Pandya made his international debut for India in January 2016 against Australia. He has played 11 Test matches, with his last appearance in the longest format in 2018. However, he has been active in limited-overs formats, featuring in 86 ODIs and 102 T20I matches for Team India in his career.

The Baroda cricketer made his red-ball debut against Sri Lanka in Galle in July 2017. He has taken 17 wickets with a decent average of 31.05 and a strike rate of 55.12. His best bowling performance came against England in Nottingham in August 2018, where he picked up 5 wickets for just 28 runs.

Pandya has scored 532 runs in Test cricket at an average of 31.29, with one century and four half-centuries to his name. His highest score of 108 came from just 96 balls against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in August 2017. Notably, he last played a first-class match against Mumbai in December 2018.

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