The Indian selectors headed by MSK Prasad picked the Test squad for the Australia series without an all-rounder with Hardik Pandya injured. Moreover, during the selections, Prasad also acknowledged that there is no player in the domestic cricket at the moment who can match Pandya’s abilities. The seam-bowling all-rounder injured his back during the Asia Cup in September and since then he has been missing the international cricket.
Even the Indian skipper Virat Kohli expressed concern about missing Hardik ahead of the Test series. But now it seems that there might be a change in the squad before the Boxing Day Test. Hardik, who was earlier picked in India A squad for three One-Dayers in New Zealand, chose to not to go there and decided to play in Ranji Trophy for Baroda to prove his fitness.
The flamboyant all-rounder, playing first-class cricket after a long time, didn’t disappoint and picked up a five-wicket haul against Mumbai. He sent down almost 19 overs relentlessly and didn’t look in discomfort.
ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Prefers Ranji Trophy Over India ‘A’
Moreover, Hardik also picked five wickets to announce his return to the arena. Interestingly, he took the new ball for Baroda and scalped a couple of top-order batsmen in Aditya Tare and Vikrant Vilas Auti. He made a comeback for another spell late in the day and proved his worth by sending back Shivam Dube who is in great form this season.
Mumbai were bundled out for 465 on Day 2 even as Hardik Pandya ended with the decent figures of 5/81. This innings proved that the cricketer is fit again and raring to go at least with the ball while the selectors might now have a keen eye on how he bats now.
Hardik’s inclusion provides great balance to the team and if he bowls like he did during the third Test in England when he rattled the hosts with five wickets, India can really hit the Aussies hard.
Meanwhile, even Twitterati was delighted to see Pandya make a comeback and perform extremely well. It will be interesting to see if he will be travelling down under in the next few days.
ALSO READ: MSK Prasad Got Immensely Criticized For ‘Pitch Puja’
Here are some of the tweets:
@BCCI Dear Bcci please immediately remove Murali Vijay out of the team ask him to play properly in Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu .Please add #HardikPandya and Prtivi shaw in team . Hardik got 5 wkts against Mumbai in Ranji trophy .I am from TamilNadu and I proudly recommend Hardik
— visaagan (@visaagan16) December 15, 2018
Missing @hardikpandya7 against Nathan Lyon in this test the battle would have been treat 2 watch. Any update on Hardik pandya? #AUSvIND #ChhodnaMat @SPNSportsIndia
— Ayush Sinha (@AyushSi19846370) December 15, 2018
Will hardik Pandya play in next test as he is fine and even he has taken 5 wicket haul in Ranji after his comeback @SPNSportsIndia #chodnamat
— Pawan Sharma (@PawanSh51827567) December 15, 2018
#HardikPandya takes 5 wickets against Mumbai in his comeback after injury…Trip to Australia….? @BCCI @cricketaakash @SPNSportsIndia @imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc @SGanguly99 @vikrantgupta73 @BCCIdomestic @virendersehwag @StarSportsIndia @DeepDasgupta7
— Ashwin Kanjan (@kanjan_ashwin) December 15, 2018
There will be another selection for last 2 matches like England series and expect Hardik Pandya and Mayank Agarwal to be picked.
— Rakesh Lenka (@rakesh_lenka) December 15, 2018
Hardik Pandya incoming? 🤐 https://t.co/ou0tOftsqw
— Soham S Bidyadhar (@SohamTheRed) December 15, 2018
is their a possibility of hardik pandya returning for ind vs aus test squade for remaining 2 test
#aapkivani #aakashvani— Rohit (@Rohit_05782) December 15, 2018
I want Hardik Pandya to Replace KL Rahul in Squad for 3rd Test #AUSvIND
— M@NI$H (@UrstrulyManish_) December 15, 2018
The performance of Vijay has really been pathetic. India needs the services of Prithvi Shaw at the earliest. Also, Hardik Pandya must join the test squad ahead of 3rd & 4th test vs Australia.
— ABHISHEK KUMAR SINGH (@abhishek151282) December 15, 2018
Hardik Pandya with 5 wickets against Mumbai in the Ranji trophy. Chose to play Ranji instead of the India A series so he could come back to Test cricket. Won't be surprised if he's flown to Down Under for the rest of the series. 4 quicks and a spinner. More balance.#AUSvIND
— Ashwin Natarajan (@ashwin91) December 15, 2018
Hardik Pandya should be on plane for the 3rd test match ve Australia…Prithvi Shaw and Hardik Pandya Should play the 3rd test match!!!; https://t.co/mQ8YyZNu79
— POTLI BABA KI (@ashish_bijalwan) December 15, 2018
