Australia vs India: Hardik Pandya likely to join before Melbourne Test

The last three months haven’t given Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya much to cheer about. The 25-year-old developed a back injury during India’s Group match against Pakistan in Dubai in the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Thereafter, he was ruled out of the tournament and he also missed the Test, ODI and T20I series against Windies in October and November.

To add to his agony, he missed the three T20Is against Australia and then was omitted from the 18-man squad for the four-match Test series as well. However, it has recently been learned that the Baroda all-rounder may be back with the national team prior to the third Boxing Day Test, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as per reports in Indian Express.

Hardik Pandya doing well in Ranji

The match is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday, December 26. Previously, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked Hardik to prove his fitness in order to stake his claim back into the national setup. The pugnacious potential is currently plying his trade in Baroda’s match against Mumbai at Wankhede Stadium in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy.

After Baroda won the toss and elected to field first, Pandya put his best foot forward and notched an impressive five-wicket haul. He ended with figures of 18.5-1-81-5. While batting, Pandya didn’t disappoint by any means. He came to bat at number five following the dismissal of Aditya Waghmore and scored 73 runs from 137 balls with nine fours and a six.

As far as the Indian team is concerned, they won the opening Test at Adelaide Oval by 31 runs and is now playing the second Test at the new Perth Stadium. Cheteshwar Pujara became the Player of the Match in the first match and it would need something herculean from some of their players if they are to topple the might of the Aussies in the ongoing match.

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