Two weeks ago, Hardik Pandya excited Team India fans. The all-rounder shared a few glimpses from his training session. Nothing special, some thought. But there was something peculiar. Hardik was bowling in the nets with a red cherry. It’s been nearly six years since the 30-year-old played a first-class game, and with the India vs Australia Test series coming up, fans started getting excited.
Fitness an issue for Hardik Pandya
It was unsure whether new head coach Gautam Gambhir told Hardik to get ready or it was his own decision. A week later, he was at it again. Is he making a Test comeback? His former teammate, Dinesh Karthik, doesn’t think so. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting coach feels that Hardik’s body isn’t ready to play Test cricket.
“Wow, that would be really good. Especially someone with his skill set, so fast bowling and batting in Australia would be good. But to be very honest, I would be very surprised because I know his body; it’s not that easy for him to play Test cricket where he is today, so I again will be surprised,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show.