"He was practicing with the red ball only because the white ball wasn't available"- Parthiv Patel dismisses Hardik Pandya's Test comeback speculation

Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel dismissed the speculation surrounding all-rounder Hardik Pandya returning to Test cricket after a recent video of him bowling with the red ball went viral on social media. Hardik hasn't played a Test since the tour of England in 2018.

Frequent injuries and workload management have meant the 30-year-old played his last first-class game for Baroda in December 2018.

Talking to the broadcasters during the rain delay on Day 2 of the ongoing India-Bangladesh Test, Parthiv said:

"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."

With the five-Test series in Australia coming up in November, Hardik's Test comeback talks have gained steam.

Meanwhile, with the Australia series in mind, Parthiv felt India could have played left-arm seamer Yash Dayal in the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh.

"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 added.

India went with an unchanged 11 from the first Test, where they secured a 280-run victory.

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"To make a comeback into Indian Test side, he will obviously first have to play Ranji Trophy cricket" - Parthiv Patel

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Three - Source: Getty

Parthiv Patel recently mentioned that Hardik Pandya could play Tests for India again if he is willing to play first-class cricket, as mandated by the BCCI.

The ace all-rounder has played 11 Tests for India, averaging 31.29 with the bat and 31.05 with the ball.

"That is up to Hardik whether he wants to play Test cricket or not. If he wants to play Test cricket, the Indian selectors and everyone has made it clear that you have to play first class cricket. So, to make a comeback into Indian Test side, he will obviously first have to play Ranji Trophy cricket or first class cricket, so to speak," Parthiv told IANS.

Hardik also does not have much first-class experience, having played only 29 games with middling averages of 30.02 with the bat and 30.95 on the bowling front.