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A picture of Hardik Pandya bowling with a red ball ignited speculation about his potential Test cricket comeback. The image quickly sparked discussions among fans and analysts, raising questions about whether the all-rounder might be preparing to return to the longer format of the game. Published: September 28, 2024 1:17 PM IST By Edited by Earlier this month, a picture of Hardik Pandya practicing with a red ball went viral on social media, bringing in a million conversations about the potential return of the all-rounder to Test cricket.
Hardik has not been spotted playing white-ball cricket since his injury by his back during IPL 2022, but that one picture started speculations about a comeback to red-ball cricket. That was further restricted to only T20 games after another injury during the 2023 World Cup last year. Not that he has been ignored from the ODI series against Sri Lanka in August of this year; it was even mentioned that the all-rounder may have to play in the domestic fifty-over competitions like the Vijay Hazare Trophy before he is considered for selection again.
The sight of Hardik Pandya practicing with a red ball certainly caught many by surprise. In fact, there were even reports suggesting that Hardik could make a return to first-class cricket in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. His last appearance in the red-ball format for Baroda dates back to 2018.
This raises the question—could Hardik be on the path to a red-ball cricket comeback? According to former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, a red-ball comeback for Hardik Pandya doesn’t appear likely. Despite the viral picture and speculation, Patel suggested that Pandya may not be preparing for a return to first-class or Test cricket anytime soon. Speaking to JioCinema at the end of Day 2 of the second Test between India and Bangladesh, all-rounder Parthiv Patel clarified the situation.
According to him, Hardik Pandya was made to train with the red ball as for that session, a white ball wasn’t available. “His body may not tolerate the rigours of multi-day cricket,” said Parthiv, implying that all-rounder Hardik is unlikely to be back in red-ball cricket anytime soon. “I’m not looking at Hardik Pandya (in Tests).
He was practising with the red ball only because the white ball wasn’t available. I don’t think his body allows four-day and five-day matches. He has to play at least one first-class game (before being considered for selection in Tests), which is very unlikely,” Parthiv said.
The entire conversation about Hardik Pandya’s possible red-ball return really gained steam in the aftermath of India’s bowling combinations for the Test series against New Zealand at home and Australia away. Parthiv Patel had more to say on this debate, suggesting that India perhaps squandered a golden opportunity when they could have finally handed Yash Dayal his first Test game, pointing out that experimenting with their team would now prove to be more difficult when the series against New Zealand begins. With this missed opportunity, according to Parthiv, India’s plans to include some rotation and testing of new talent in their bowling arsenal could now become even more complicated.
“The second Test was an opportunity for India to use Yash Dayal. And no, I’m not undermining Bangladesh, but if this Test match ends in a draw, it is very important to address that the next series will be against New Zealand, and then they won’t be in a position to experiment,” added Parthiv. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and .
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