Hardik Pandya, known for his unique skills as a pace all-rounder, has not played Test cricket since 2018. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025 approaching, many are wondering if he will make his return to red-ball cricket.
Pandya has been a standout player in white-ball formats, but Test cricket has always been a challenge for him. Injuries and fitness concerns have kept him out of India’s Test squad, and he hasn’t participated in a first-class match since 2018. His focus has largely been on T20s and ODIs, where he has delivered exceptional performances.
However, with recent changes in management and ongoing speculation, there are signs that Pandya might be considering a return to the longer format. He has been seen training with the red ball and is expected to participate in the 2024 Ranji Trophy. This could be his path back to Test cricket, potentially for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2025.
India has a strong lineup of spin all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin, but a reliable pace all-rounder has been missing, especially for overseas matches. Pandya, if fit and available, could fill that gap and bring much-needed balance to the team.