If Hardik Pandya is working hard to come back to the Test format, I think he will be our No. 1 choice: Hanuma Vihari

Indian batter Hanuma Vihari reckons that Hardik Pandya will be the No. 1 choice as fast-bowling all-rounder if he works hard towards making a comeback to the Test format. Vihari also doesn't feel that India might not go back to Shardul Thakur since he does not possess a great record in domestic red-ball cricket.

Some recent media reports claimed that Pandya is keen on making a return to the Test team and is likely to represent Baroda in red-ball cricket in the 2024-25 domestic season. The 30-year-old recently also shared a video of bowling with the red ball in the nets.

Speaking to indiatoday.in, Vihari opined that if Pandya is indeed thinking of returning to Test cricket, it can only be good news for India as an extra pace bowling option always comes in handy especially in helpful conditions.

"Hardik Pandya, if he is really keen, if he is working hard to come back to the Test format, I think he will be our No. 1 choice," he said.

The 30-year-old, however, admitted that Pandya will have to play a few Ranji Trophy games to prove his fitness and form in the longer format of the game.

"Hardik, I don't know, whether he is really keen to come back to the Test format. But, if he wants, I think it's good news for Indian cricket because an all-rounder like him can really be a boost to the Indian side, especially when we are playing in Perth or the pink-ball Test. You need that extra fast-bowling option, where you can take that advantage," the Indian cricketer explained.

Speaking about Shardul, Vihari added that the Mumbai cricketer has not done enough to earn a Test recall.

"Shardul Thakur, they have tried and tested him. I am not sure how confident they are because he has played in the Duleep Trophy recently. He has not got great numbers in Duleep Trophy. But he will be in the mix," the defiant batter stated.

India will be playing a lot of Tests over the next few months. After the ongoing two-match home series against Bangladesh; they will host New Zealand for three Tests. They will then fly to Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

---

When did Hardik Pandya last play Test cricket?

Pandya hasn't played a Test match for India since 2018. He has only featured in 11 red-ball games for India so far, claiming 17 wickets and scoring 532 runs.

In contrast, he has represented the Men in Blue in 86 ODIs and 102 T20Is. The all-rounder has scored 1,769 runs and has taken 84 scalps in one-dayers. In T20Is, he has 1,523 runs and 86 wickets.