Team India’s fast-bowling-all-rounder Hardik Pandya is anticipated to make himself available for selection for Baroda’s Domestic-Cricket Season of 2024-2025.
According to a top source of the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), the chances of Junior Pandya making a return to red-ball Cricket are high, keeping in mind the home Test-Series versus New Zealand and the upcoming tour of Australia later in December this year.
Recently, Hardik posted some pictures on his social media account where he was seen practising with the red-ball. The 30-year-old is also likely to play limited-overs Domestic Cricket for Baroda.
Junior Pandya hasn’t participated in First-class-Cricket for Baroda since their Ranji Trophy encounter versus Mumbai way back in 2018.
The 30-year-old last played a Test-match for the Men in Blue way back in 2018 versus England at the Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium of Southampton.
Having participated in 11 Test matches where he has a best score of 108 runs versus Sri Lanka and a five-wicket haul versus England at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Pandya has done well in the limited- chances he has been given.
In 2023, right before the Indian Cricket Team’s WTC final against Australia, Hardik said that it wouldn’t be fair for him to be a part of the Men in Blue’s playing 11 after not playing Test Cricket since 2018.
The 30-year-old talked about the hard work he needed to do to make a comeback in the longest format of the game.
“I haven’t done anything deserving to take part in the WTC-Final versus Australia. I am not even a part of one percent. So, me coming directly into the playing 11 and replacing a well deserved player won’t be fair and it doesn’t sound good either,” Hardik said.
“If I want to play Test-matches for the nation, I will grind, work hard and earn my rightful place. Thus, due to this particular reason, I will not be taking part in the final (WTC) or future bilateral test-series till I don’t feel that I deserve to play in a fair manner,” he added.
The junior Pandya doesn’t have a lot of time available with him to prepare as Baroda’s first Ranji Trophy 2024-2025 match is versus last season’s winners Mumbai on the 11th of October.
The India vs New Zealand test series kicks off from the 16th of October onwards while the Border-Gavaskar series will begin from 22nd November.
For more information, visit the official websites of ICC and BCCi
