In a significant boost for Indian cricket, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been declared fit and received the crucial Return to Play (RTP) clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Pandya will exit the facility today, November 29, marking the end of an intensive 42-day rehabilitation and training stint.
From Rehab to the Playing Field
The 32-year-old cricketer had checked into the National Cricket Academy on October 14 for a detailed assessment and treatment of his left quadricep injury. Apart from a brief hiatus around the Diwali festivities, Pandya underwent non-stop, rigorous training sessions under the constant supervision of specialist medical staff and coaches. The initial plan was to have him ready for the ODI series against South Africa starting November 30, but the team management and selectors decided on a more cautious approach.
They concluded that it would be ideal to ease him back into competitive action through the shorter T20 format, minimizing the risk of a re-aggravation of the injury.
The Road Back: Baroda and Beyond
Pandya's first assignment on his comeback trail will be the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He is set to join the Krunal Pandya-led Baroda squad in Hyderabad, where he will feature in three crucial fixtures. Baroda is scheduled to play on December 2, 4, and 6, providing the all-rounder with vital match practice.
This game time is considered essential for Pandya, who has been away from the field since the Asia Cup encounter against Sri Lanka in September. His absence led to him missing the entire tour of Australia and the recent ODI series against South Africa. The Indian team management continues to view him as a crucial player in the white-ball setup, especially with the T20 World Cup next year being a major priority.
Looking Ahead: The South Africa T20Is
Following his stint in the domestic T20 tournament, Hardik Pandya is expected to seamlessly integrate into the Indian squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. The series is set to kick off on December 9 in Cuttack and will conclude with the final match on December 19 in Ahmedabad.
His successful return is pivotal for India's balance in the T20 format, and all eyes will be on his performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as the first step towards his full international comeback.
