Hardik Pandya wants to take Ranji Trophy route for place in Team India for last two Tests

Hardik will participate in Baroda's next Ranji game against Mumbai.

Hardik Pandya | GETTY

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been missing from the international cricket scene ever since he got injured during the Asia Cup 2018.

Now on his way back to cricket, the Baroda all-rounder will feature in the Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai, in a bid to prove his fitness and stake a claim in the Indian team for the ODI series against Australia. India will play three-match ODI series against Australia after the Test series. 

"If I am playing a Test match, I should play a four-day game (rather) than one-day," Hardik told Times Now on Thursday. "Because one-day is later on. I am focusing right now that if I can make it to the team because there is a scope of me making a comeback into the Test team if I am fit to play a Test match. That's why I wanted to take my time and see where exactly I stand in Ranji Trophy.

"Playing a Test match is a different league. The workload goes very high, so I wanted to see if I can manage the workload. I knew I would get enough match preparation before the Australia ODIs. Therefore I focused on playing Ranji Trophy."

Pandya wants to test himself before playing for India. Ranji Trophy will help him to know how much he has recovered and where he stands. 

"Before I go for any major series, I wanted to see where exactly I stand," Hardik said. "Ranji Trophy is the best domestic tournament. I wanted to check my fitness levels there, and then take a call about how I am feeling and what should be the next step. Right now, I am only focusing on the Ranji Trophy and then obviously, I want to get back to the team as soon as possible, because it's difficult to stay away for so long."

With Times Now Inputs

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 14 Dec, 2018

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