'He Practiced With Red Ball Because...': Parthiv Patel Dismisses News Of Hardik Pandya's Test Comeback

Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who last played a Test match for India in September 2018, was recently seen practicing with red-ball, which raised the possibility of him making a Test comeback for India after six long years. But after the start of the second day’s play of the ongoing second India-Bangladesh Test in Kanpur got delayed due to rain and wet outfield, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel dismissed news of Hardik’s return to Test cricket by saying that the Baroda-based all-rounder was training with the red ball only because the white ones were not available.

India is set to play as many as eight Tests in the next three months, and fans were excited with the news of Hardik’s return to Test cricket, but according to Parthiv, Hardik’s body isn’t ready for the five-day format of the game.

“I’m not looking at Hardik Pandya (in Tests). He was practicing with the red ball only because the white ball wasn’t available. I don’t think his body allows four-day and five-day matches. He has to play at least one first-class game (before being considered for selection in Tests), which is very unlikely,” Parthiv was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The former wicketkeeper-batter, who has now donned the hat of an expert, also discussed India’s team selection for the second Test, which is currently underway at Green Park in Kanpur.

Parthiv feels India missed an opportunity to give Yash Dayal a Test debut in Kanpur.

“The second Test was an opportunity for India to use Yash Dayal. And no, I’m not undermining Bangladesh, but if this Test match ends in a draw, it is very important to address that the next series will be against New Zealand, and then they won’t be in a position to experiment,” he said.

Dayal, who made a big name for himself while representing RCB in the IPL 2024, earned his maiden Test call-up for the ongoing series, but he didn’t get a chance to play in any of the two matches. He is expected to be released from the squad and be available for selection for the Rest of India in the Irani Cup 2024 match against Mumbai in Lucknow from October 1.