Hardik Pandya takes a five-for on return from injury
What's the story
Indian cricket team all-rounder Hardik Pandya took an impressive first-class five-wicket haul against Mumbai. The Baroda player made a return to cricket after being sidelined with injury since quite sometime. Pandya took 5/81 in a Ranji Trophy match at the Wankhede Stadium. The performance was a solid one that included the wickets of both openers. Pandya will look to build from here on.
Pandya
Performance will give Pandya confidence
Pandya made a return to competitive cricket after recovering from a back spasm that kept him out of the game for two months. Pandya suffered the injury in a match against Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2018 in UAE in September. This performance will give him confidence to get back to shape and keep him in sync with the game.
Information
Mumbai score 465 in first innings
Mumbai managed 465 in the first innings against Baroda. Skipper Siddesh Lad and Shreyas Iyer scored impressive centuries. For Baroda, Pandya was the pick of the bowlers. Meanwhile, Bhargav Bhatt picked 4 wickets.
Return
Pandya likely to return for ODI series against Australia
Pandya missed the remainder of the Asia Cup and then sat out of the Test and ODI, T20I series against West Indies. The player was not named in the T20I and Test squads for the series against Australia. India start their ODI campaign against Australia on January 12, 2019. Pandya will be looking to get back in India's scheme of things next month.
Fitness
Pandya working hard to regain full fitness
Earlier, Pandya had confirmed that he is eyeing a return in January. "I'm trying hard to be fit for the ODI series against Australia. To get back to full fitness, I'm going through rigorous bowling sessions in Mumbai. I have just started bowling. Once I bowl a few overs in the ODIs, I think I should be on the right track," he said.