Hardik Pandya Set to Revive His Red-Ball Career with Baroda in Ranji Trophy
There have been new trends that are indicating Hardik Pandya may soon return to red-ball cricket according to reports that say he will play in the Ranji Trophy as a member of the Baroda team. This probable return has excited many fans and analysts since the pandemic was now recognized as one of India’s liveliest all-rounders.
Indications of a Comeback
Recently, there have been insinuations made by Pandya himself which could point towards a resuscitation of his first-class career as he has been seen training with a red cricket ball in one of his social media posts. The move has spurred discussions on whether or not he is prepared for a return to long-format cricket. According to a member of the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), talks about Pandya’s participation in domestic tournaments has happened due to the imminent Test series against New Zealand plus the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will be played in Australia.
The Journey So Far
Watch live cricket for free for Pandya’s return to red-ball cricket comes after a long break owing to a major surgery aimed at correcting an ongoing back problem. This forced him to focus on being fit for limited-overs formats, therefore greatly restricting his involvement in Test matches. He has played 11 Tests for India so far during which he scored 532 runs with an average of 31.29 and took 17 wickets too. His last test match was played around August-September 2018 – hence making the prospective return much more fascinating.
There are varied perspectives on this issue. That however is an issue fit to discuss someday some other time. Pandya and Gambhir have known each other for quite some time now, which makes them poised to get along well. They both understand their roles in the game, so things should work out just fine. Nevertheless, Gambhir must be mindful of such comparisons.
Speculations and Expectations
Gautam Gambhir has taken charge as India’s new head coach and this adds complexity to the whole debate regarding whether or not harder hitter Hardik Pandya might return to India’s side in future matches as an all-rounder. Indeed, if we consider his destructive batting style along with successful bowling performances then it would mean that he could serve as a major asset for the Indian team during such situations. However, even though he may play domestic matches very casually; there may still be chances later on where by virtue of circumstances such events might happen you know.
Another thing concerns conflicting opinions on all these matters. Still, it would be too early to argue about such over another time and place on our planet. Hardik and Gautam undoubtedly enjoy a long-standing friendship so they got everything required for it to work out. Provided they stick to their respective places in the sporting arena, everything will eventually become normal again between them. It is important however that Gambhir does not get carried away by this similarity in their playing styles.
Competitive Landscape
The choice to reintegrate Pandya into the Test squad would require careful thought, as there are still some fragile places in a team. The existing team should be shaken with caution, as it consists of players like Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel who usually perform.
It is hard to underestimate how important the potential return of Pandya is for present-day cricket. He has skills that can steer a match towards victory either by batting or bowling that make him an asset during crucial moments of play. In particular, they are looking forward to his play at Ranji Trophy, hoping that he will have good form and thus get national call-ups from selectors.
Conclusion
This complete about-face from injury to comeback candidate illustrates his indomitable spirit and willpower. With the Ranji Trophy just around the corner, fans are watching closely, yearning for the all-rounder’s return.
Those who care about keeping up with Pandya’s performances and upcoming Ranji Trophy games can visit platforms such as Winexch which offers users to watch live cricket for free.
While a section of cricket addicts follow up on how Pandya performs, discussions on what lies ahead for the Indian Test team will gain momentum. The inclusion of important players like Pandya whose influence has seen him nicknamed ‘the godfather of cricket’ will be up for discussion.
FAQ
Is Hardik Pandya returning to red-ball cricket?
According to reports, Hardik Pandya is going to play for Baroda during the upcoming Ranji Trophy.
What prompted Hardik Pandya’s return to red-ball cricket?
The training he has received with the red ball, and the fact that he needs to perform well in front of New Zealand during the Test series and for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
How many Test matches have Hardik Pandya played?
Hardik Pandya has played 11 Test matches for India where he scored a total of 532 runs and took 17 wickets on them.
When was the last time Pandya played a Test match?
Pandya’s last Test match was held between August and September 2018.