After undergoing a significant operation to address a persistent back ailment, Hardik Pandya ceased playing red-ball cricket and concentrated on staying fit for limited-overs matches. In December 2018, he played in his last first-class match.

However, the great all-rounder has uploaded a few videos and a photo of himself bowling with the red ball, sparking expectations that he would be making a red ball return only one week before India play Bangladesh in the Chennai Test.

After his final Test match for India in August–September 2018, Pandya had surgery and focused mostly on white-ball cricket. The 30-year-old dismissed rumors that he would be an unexpected addition to India’s team for the 2023 World Test Championship final by stating he doesn’t want to replace a Test regular.

Although Pandya hasn’t said clearly that he want to play red-ball cricket, his Instagram story series suggests that he would not be opposed to returning to the first-class ranks.

News agency PTI reported a top BCCI source as stating, “It’s heartening to know that Hardik is bowling with red ball, but has he really spoken to men who matter (chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma) about his intentions?”

In the following months, India will play a lot of Test cricket. They will go to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will pit the two sides against one another over five Tests, after hosting Bangladesh for a two-match series and playing three matches against New Zealand.

Pandya would need to demonstrate his form and fitness for the lengthier format by competing in domestic cricket for his team Baroda, even if he indicates his desire to revive his Test career. The Duleep Trophy has already kicked off the Indian domestic season.