Since being left off the Test squad, Hardik Pandya has been making a significant statement in the limited overs format. Pandya ranks among the most destructive lower-order batsmen in the history of cricket. He has the power to turn any game around in a matter of overs. But Pandya’s bowling has consistently caught people’s attention.
The current captain of India’s T20 team and all-arounder Hardik Pandya is still unsure of his Test comeback. Hardik was on the verge of abandoning the longest format due to a nagging back injury. However, the BCCI wants to know from him whether he sees a future in Test cricket now that he is healthy. Before making a decision regarding the WTC Final, the BCCI and the Shiv Sundar Das-led selection committee are likely to speak with Hardik about his future in Test cricket. India is the favorite to finish second behind Australia in the WTC Final.
One can’t completely rule out the possibility of Pandya’s return any time soon given how well he is playing in the white-ball formats now that he is fit again. In order to prepare for the World Team Championship final, which is scheduled for June this year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly wants clarification on whether the pacer is thinking about returning to Test cricket.
“There is no hurry for him to return to Test but yes, it would be better to have some clarity. We will discuss this sometime before WTC Final. He could play an important role in England considering Bumrah is out for a while. But there is absolutely no pressure on him to return to Test cricket immediately,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.