Hardik Pandya last played for India during the second T20I against Sri Lanka in July, and since then, he has been absent from action. The explosive all-rounder, who has dealt with injuries throughout his career, had previously chosen to step away from Test cricket to focus exclusively on white-ball formats.
Now, however, reports suggest that Hardik is eyeing a return to the longest format, preparing diligently to regain a spot in India’s Test team. His potential comeback has sparked excitement and speculation, especially given how crucial a fully fit Hardik Pandya can be across all formats.
While he’s been off the field, Hardik Pandya hasn’t been idle. He’s been working hard to get back into shape ahead of India’s upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. In the meantime, the T20 World Cup 2024 winner has also been spending some precious moments with his son, Agastya.
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The father-son bond has been on full display, with Hardik Pandya sharing a series of heartwarming photos and videos on Instagram, showing them laughing, chatting, and playing around as Hardik trains. It’s clear that Agastya is the apple of Hardik’s eye, providing a sense of balance and joy in his demanding life as a professional cricketer.
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Interestingly, Hardik Pandya was recently spotted bowling with a red ball, which only further fueled rumours about his Test return. His last appearance in Test cricket was in September 2018, and his involvement with red-ball practice immediately attracted attention. However, former India cricketer Parthiv Patel, speaking during the India-Bangladesh Test series, downplayed the speculation.
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According to Parthiv, Hardik Pandya was using the red ball merely because a white ball wasn’t available at the time, and he doesn’t believe that Hardik’s body can endure the rigors of four- or five-day matches anymore. Parthiv further added that for Hardik to be seriously considered for Test selection, he would need to play at least one first-class game—something that seems unlikely in the near future.
