Hardik Pandya’s return to India’s T20I setup has been marked by a level of preparation that reflects both maturity and intent. On Sunday evening in Cuttack, while the rest of the Indian squad rested at the team hotel after travelling from Visakhapatnam, Hardik made his way to the Barabati Stadium for an extended solo training session. It was a move that immediately invited comparisons with Virat Kohli, who is known for arriving early and getting a head start on match preparation. Hardik’s quiet decision to train alone spoke volumes about where his mindset is ahead of the South Africa series.
The allrounder has been away from international T20 cricket since sustaining a left quadricep injury during India’s Asia Cup clash against Sri Lanka. The setback forced him into a period of recovery and conditioning, but the time away seems to have fuelled him rather than slowed him down. His brief outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Baroda offered encouraging signs. The standout was a fluent 77 against Punjab, an innings that showcased his improved balance at the crease and his ability to switch gears without forcing shots.
On Sunday, Hardik went through a well-structured session that included stretching routines, short sprints, about 20 minutes of bowling, and a focused batting stint against local net bowlers. The purpose was not intensity but acclimatisation - getting a feel for the surface, the bounce, and the angles at Barabati Stadium. Despite some visible caution while bowling, his batting appeared crisp, particularly his range through mid-wicket and extra cover.
Beyond the immediate goal of returning strongly against South Africa, Hardik stands on the cusp of a rare statistical achievement. He has accumulated 1,860 runs and captured 98 wickets in T20Is. With 140 more runs and two more wickets, he will join Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Nabi as only the third player in history to reach both 2,000 runs and 100 wickets in the format. It is a milestone that aligns well with his role as a genuine allrounder - someone India depends on in both disciplines.
For now, though, his focus appears simple: prepare well, ease back into rhythm, and contribute meaningfully in a series that offers India valuable match practice ahead of a packed cricketing calendar. Hardik’s early start in Cuttack suggests he is ready to reclaim his space with quiet determination rather than noise.
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