Hardik Pandya turns up for Baroda in order to make Test comeback
Hardik Pandya, after a two-month long injury layoff, has decided to make a comeback to the competitive cricket by playing for Baroda against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. Hardik had been sidelined with a back injury sustained during the Asia Cup in September, and hasn’t played any cricket since then.
Pandya suffered an acute lower back spasm during India's Asia Cup group game against Pakistan and while bowling the 18th over of the Indian innings, Pandya seemed to have felt something in his back while still being on his follow through. He remained flat on the ground for a long time before Indian physio Patrick Farhart stretchered him off the field.Â
Almost three months after that, he has returned to competitive cricket in Baroda's match against Mumbai in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy, is also targeting a comeback to the Indian Test side that is currently playing in Australia.Â
"If I am playing a Test match, I should play a four-day game (rather) than one-day. Because one-day is later on. I am focusing right now that if I can make it to the team, because there is scope of me making a comeback into the Test team, if I am fit to play a Test match. That's why I wanted to take my time and see where exactly I stand in Ranji Trophy,” Hardik told Times Now on Thursday.Â
"Playing a Test match is a different league. The workload goes very high, so I wanted to see if I can manage the workload. I knew I would get enough match preparation before the Australia ODIs. Therefore I focused on playing Ranji Trophy."
While India is currently playing the second Test in Perth, Pandya will try to make his case for the next Test in Melbourne.Â
"Before I go for any major series, I wanted to see where exactly I stand. Ranji Trophy is the best domestic tournament. I wanted to check my fitness levels there, and then take a call about how I am feeling and what should be the next step. Right now, I am only focusing on the Ranji Trophy and then obviously, I want to get back to the team as soon as possible, because it's difficult to stay away for so long."
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