The dashing all-rounder from Baroda who is out of action since September was seen practising with the Indian team ahead of the Australian limited-overs series.
Hardik Pandya last played for India in the T20I series against South Africa last September. He sustained a back injury and was forced to undergo an operation in London which kept him out of action for about 4 months now. He was included in India A squad that plays in New Zealand but a last-minute fitness test proved too much for Hardik Pandya as he couldn’t clear it and eventually Vijay Shankar has taken his place. The all-rounder who was initially eyeing a comeback for the New Zealand series has now faced a setback. Though Hardik Pandya started practising regularly in nets with his private trainer Rajinikanth in Mumbai, he is yet to attain his full fitness that is required for the highest level.
India will be playing the all-important 3 matches ODI series against Australia to cap off their yet another successful home season starting today. Hardik Pandya was seen practising with the Indian team along with Virat Kohli, Bumrah, Chahal in the optional training session on Monday.
Hardik Pandya posted his intense net session pictures on Twitter. He initially had a target practice of hitting the stumps and rolled his arm over under the watchful eyes of the Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun. The all-rounder now will be eyeing a comeback for the South African series in March.
Hardik Pandya also recently got engaged to a Serbian actress and shared the ecstatic news on his Instagram account. Many cricketers also congratulated and it also shocked many with the likes of Virat Kohli and Pandya’s parents. The news came as a shocking surprise to Pandya’s parents as well who were not aware of his engagement plan.