Hardik Pandya, the swashbuckling all-rounder, will finally return to international cricket in the forthcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. After nearly three months on the sidelines due to a left quadriceps injury sustained during the Asia Cup in September, Pandya finished his recovery and demonstrated his fitness with a match-winning effort for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
Hardik featured in his last international against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, returned with soreness after playing two games at the national T20 tournament. Thereafter he was kept out of competitive cricket for long, undergoing a detailed strengthening and conditioning in Mumbai before heading to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) here for rehabilitation. The board had previously made clear he will be handled as a T20 International-only player in the run-up to the World Cup, meaning his workload before that showpiece event would revolve around the shortest format. He had just finished his Return to Play (RTP) protocols over the past 6 weeks and was cleared to return to all-around activities.
Hardik to play at least two more SMAT matches
The 32-year-old made a blistering return to the T20 tournament on Tuesday when he smashed an unbeaten 77 off 42 balls in Baroda’s seven-wicket chase of Punjab, which overhauled the target of 223 in just 18.2 overs — the third-fastest chase ever. Although he wasn’t very effective with the ball, returning figures of 4-0-52-1, his ability to bowl a full spell and show good fitness left a positive impression on the selectors and team management.
The BCCI has emphasized that Hardik’s presence as a bowling all-rounder is vital to maintaining India’s balance in T20Is. Selector Pragyan Ojha has been given the responsibility to monitor Hardik’s performance during the domestic season — a reflection of how crucial he is to India’s plans. He is set to feature in at least two more SMAT games, including one against Gujarat on December 4, to assess his ability to handle back-to-back fixtures.
India, meanwhile, have a choice to make at the top of the order in place of Shubman Gill, who has been ruled out since the first Test against South Africa with a neck injury. Gill also in all likelihood not available, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are among the contenders to open with Abhishek. The selectors are also weighing up Riyan Parag for a middle-order position. The five-match T20I series starts on 9 December at Cuttack, and the teams will then travel to New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow and Ahmedabad.
