Hardik Pandya will make his first return to international cricket after missing out in the last three months because of a left quadriceps injury suffered during the 2025 Asia Cup. The all-rounder, who has been sidelined with a back injury, is set to make his comeback with a five-match series against South Africa, starting Tuesday in Cuttack. Parthiv Patel, on the other hand, has shed light onto how Hardik’s manner of batting could be the game-changer for India and secure them the series.
Parthiv compared Hardik’s batting style to that of Suryakumar Yadav. He was quick to highlight that the all-rounder is more inclined to play aggressive shots with a straight bat and in front of the wicket rather than Indian captain who scores runs more square off the wicket.
“He has a completely different gameplan than Suryakumar Yadav. The amount of runs he has scored in front of the wickets is unbelievable. When you talk about Suryakumar Yadav, everything was here (behind the wickets), and then when Hardik Pandya comes in, everything is in front of the wickets. That means it’s minimal risk and maximum result,” stated Parthiv, as quoted by Star Sports.
The former wicketkeeper-batsman noted on how bowlers have been forced to go long distances if they miss their placements even slightly against the likes of the hard-hitting Hardik.
“Most of the bowlers, in the slog overs, try to bowl those yorkers, and if you miss that length, the margin of error against Hardik Pandya is none, and that’s what makes him more dangerous. In world cricket, you don’t have so many batters who can hit it down the ground with so much of ease, and Hardik Pandya has that ability.”
Parthiv Patel
Hardik Pandya recently turned out for Baroda in a couple of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 games. He was named Player of the Match against Punjab in Hyderabad as they secured a seven-wicket victory. He compensated for his ordinary bowling figures (1/52 in 4 overs) with an unbeaten 42-ball 77 during the run chase.
His performance with the ball against Gujarat in the following match was far better. Hardik figures read 1/16 in four overs, including a maiden. He caught and bowled opposition skipper Urvil Patel.
