The 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League will kickstart on March 31st with a blockbuster opening clash between Chennai Super Kings and defending champions Gujarat Titans.
Ahead of the IPL, the Indian cricket team saw significant changes, especially in the shortest format of the game. While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remained absent from the T20I scene, Hardik Pandya was seen leading the side since the start of 2023.
Hardik Pandya made a blockbuster comeback to the Indian cricket team after enduring a splendid season with Gujarat Titans in 2022 when he led the side to its maiden IPL win. Not just he impressed everyone with his captaincy performance but also emerged as the highest run-scorer for the side, and took 8 wickets in 15 appearances in the season.
All thanks to his all-around show, Hardik made a comeback in the Indian cricket team as well, and ever since then, there have been no turning backs for the star player. However, he is yet to appear in the longest format of the game for the Indian cricket team.
Sourav Ganguly Backed Hardik Pandya To Make A Comeback In Test
Pandya, who made his first-class debut in 2018, has only played 11 Tests for India so far. His last appearance for team India in Test came in September 2018 against England.
Meanwhile, former Indian captain and former BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly spoke in detail about the need for Hardik Pandya to return in the longest format of the game. He said:
“There will be specialists in T20s. There’s Hardik Pandya although I still feel he is an asset in Test cricket also and he should come back to Test cricket because that’s what he will be remembered for. He is a specialist in ODIs and T20Is. But he is a very special cricketer,”
He added: “I think money has nothing to do with how players play. It’s great that money has come into the sport and that’s how it should be. But I believe the majority of the players want to play all formats as long as they are good. It’s terrific to see how hungry these boys are,”
