Hardik Pandya has got back to the basal color in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and has become one of the prominent players of the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma. He was one of the star players, constantly featuring in play and making telling contributions with both bat and ball. His performances were instrumental in India’s efforts in the competition; thus, he shut the mouths of critics who questioned his capacity to play on the bigger stage.
This revival happened after a woeful IPL 2024 run in which Pandya had a wretched time for the Mumbai Indians with the bat while captaining the side. The World Cup event proved to offer him a perfect opportunity to come back into the team and also assert himself.
Approved Test Cricket Series of Australia Shortly
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Team India is scheduled to face a hard time when a five-match Test series with Australia is scheduled for November. Looking at the team balance, while it seems to be relatively balanced in many aspects, there is a severe lack of a quality pace-bowling all-rounder.
Some of these useful lower middle-class batsmen have been very good all-round bowlers, especially spin bowlers suited for subcontinental conditions, as Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are. But the lack of a really quality pace bowler who is also a useful lower-order batsman has been a big drawback for the Indian team, especially in alien conditions where extra pace and carry are so important.
Hardik Pandya’s Potential Return to Test Cricket
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The Indian team management, fully cognizant of this void, is said to be contemplating the recall of Hardik Pandya to the Test team for the Australia series. A senior BCCI official said that the board is considering bringing Pandya back to the test camp soon.
It must be noted that the 30-year-old played in the longest format of cricket for India in 2018. His decision to quit the longest format of the game was occasioned by constant injuries and his wish to cement his spot on the shorter formats in which he has been quite effective.
Preparations Underway
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As the Indian team is still around four months away from the start of the tour, the team has enough time to condition Hardik Pandya for the heavy series in Australia. The team management also feels that Pandya’s presence will strengthen the team and bring much-needed equilibrium to any playing eleven.
The other preparations are expected to entail special coaching sessions aimed at enhancing his fitness and performance against the red ball. As can be seen from the player’s history, much attention will be paid to the physical state of Pandya. It is a goal to have him fully fit and firing, as he should be equal to the demands of the Test cricket schedule.
Hardik Pandya is a strong addition to the Test team, which might prove too valuable for India down under. His inclusion in the team would improve the uniqueness of the bowling force in addition to enhancing the team’s striking force.
Regarding the game-changer aspect, Pandya performed aggressively, which determined the fate of the match. Further, he can play do-or-die matches, which can be a great help in any close series such as the one in Australia. It will be interesting to see if the 30-year-old can have the same effect with the red ball as he does with the white ball.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya’s Personal Life Sparks Media Frenzy
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