“That would be…”Former Indian wicketkeeper makes a massive claim regarding Hardik Pandya’s test comeback

After a two-month sabbatical, the leading Indian all-rounder is working hard to stage a comeback into competitive cricket. The last time the cricketer played for India was over a week ago on July 30, 2024, while facing Sri Lanka in a T20I match held at Pallekele, which the Men in Blue went on to win in the Super Over. Because he had to travel to Sri Lanka for personal reasons, Hardik did not play in the ODI portion of the series. However, he is expected to be selected for the Indian side for the upcoming three T20I matches against Bangladesh, which takes place next month. The T20 series will take place in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad on October 6, 9, and 12 respectively as India tours Bangladesh for three T20Is.

Lately, Hardik has posted several images and videos of him workiNg in a workout and on the field, gearing up for his comeback. And in some clips, the star cricketer was even seen practicing with the red ball again, which speculates about his red ball cricket return.

Hardik, who made his international debut for India in January 2016 against Australia, has played 11 Test matches overall, the last of which he appeared in was in 2018. The Baroda-based cricketer has not featured in the longest format of the game for the last six years, but reports emerged that he may be considering returning to Test matches probably soon.

Speaking on the matter of Hardik resuming Test duties for India, former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik responded by saying that he would be very glad if Hardik is there, but he will be very shocked that Hardik will be playing Test cricket, because it will be very tough for him to come and play Tests due to his body.

“That would be absolutely cool. Especially considering the fact that he possesses a skill set which includes fast bowling and batting in Australia it would be good but in all honesty, I would be very shocked because of the way I know his body; to play at Test cricket where he is right now, it is not that simple I will be again surprised,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show.

Hardik made his Test debut for India on July 26, 2017 against Sri Lanka in Galle. He has played 11 Tests as of now and scored 532 runs at an average of 44.66 including a century and four half centuries. With the ball, he dismissed 17 batsmen in 19 innings. His best suited the team in the match came in England in Nottingham (August 18-22, 2018) when he claimed five wickets in an innings for just twenty-eight runs against the English batsman.