Hardik Pandya is putting in the hard yards ahead of his return to action for India, as he prepares for the upcoming white-ball series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After last playing a 50-over match for India in October 2023, Pandya is expected to be part of the squad for the prestigious tournament next month.
Clips of Pandya’s recent practice session, where he faced off against India captain Rohit Sharma, have gone viral on social media. In the video, Pandya bowled to Rohit and also took time to work on his own batting skills. One standout moment from the session was when Pandya played a stunning no-look ramp shot, showcasing his skills and readiness for the challenges ahead.
Pandya was part of India’s squad during the 2017 Champions Trophy, where he played a key role in the final against Pakistan, top-scoring for India. However, despite his performance, India lost the match by 180 runs. Looking ahead, Pandya will also feature in the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, which begins on January 22.
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The 31-year-old was last seen in action in November 2024 during the four-match T20I series against South Africa. After the series, Pandya returned to domestic cricket, representing Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he continued to impress with his all-round abilities.
— Cricket Fan (@Cricketfan_five) January 17, 2025
⚠ No need to join any Telegram channel to watch this video 😉🍿#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/CKv1W5g9xA
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 17, 2025
Meanwhile, India’s T20I team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with Axar Patel named as his deputy. The decision to drop Pandya from leadership duties, however, has raised eyebrows. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned the move, calling for clarification from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.
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“It’s a development that needs an official word. He was leading India in Rohit’s absence, and now he’s not even the vice-captain. I’d like to hear from the selectors about their thought process,” Aakash Chopra wrote on X.
The T20I series against England begins on January 22 in Kolkata, with Pandya’s fitness and form key to India’s success in the upcoming tournaments.
