India vs Sri Lanka 2023

Hardik Pandya spills the beans on his Test comeback ahead of the T20I series against Sri Lanka

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya said he is focused on staying fit and giving his best in white-ball formats before he thinks of making a return to Test cricket. The all-rounder is all set to take over as India’s full-time captain in T20Is and has been promoted as the vice-captain of the ODI team for the Sri Lanka series.

Pandya has managed to successfully recover from a recurring back injury that had hampered his performances before he made a stunning return in Indian T20 League 2022. Hardik took a break to recover after the 20-20 World Cup in 2021 and was not seen on the field until the Indian T20 League. However, Hardik’s time away from the sport helped him immensely as the all-rounder found a way to deal with the risk of the back injury and began contributing consistently with both bat and ball.

Hardik has played only 3 ODIs since his comeback in Indian T20 League 2022 but his promotion as the vice-captain for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka at home suggests that the selectors and the team management are going to consider him as an integral part of India’s plans for the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, it remains to be seen if and when Hardik can return to the Tests.

When asked if he was thinking of a Test return, Hardik came up with a cryptic response.

“Let me first fully be on Blues (ODIs and T20Is) and then I will see about the whites (Tests),” Hardik, who has played 11 Tests for India, said on the eve of the T20I series against Sri Lanka, in Mumbai.

Hardik’s workload management is going to be in the spotlight with the all-rounder taking up additional leadership roles in the white-ball squads.

I know the language of hard work: Hardik Pandya

When asked if he is thinking about his workload already, Hardik said he best understands ‘the language of hard work’ and he is ready to give it his all in the lead-up to the two major events in the next 18 months.

“I know the language of hard work. I don’t think I know any other language in my life. I’ve been thrown to the deep end and the only thing that has got me back is my hard work. Keep working hard and make sure I look after my body, which I do,” Pandya said.

“Injuries are a part of the game and I can’t change that. I am very confident of what I’ve done and believe in the process that has brought me here. Going forward, I just want to give my body ample chances to be out there and play my best,” Pandya added.