Hardik Pandya, who last played Test cricket for India in September 2018 before undergoing back surgery, recently sparked speculation about a possible return to red-ball cricket after a viral video showed him practicing with a red ball. The practice session raised excitement among fans and pundits, particularly with India's upcoming tours in mind, as the team has struggled to find a capable pace-bowling all-rounder in Tests. Despite previously downplaying his return to Test cricket, Pandya's recent activity has ignited discussions about his potential comeback ahead of crucial series, including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Notably, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has also urged the Indian management to convince Pandya to return to the Test format to bolster the team's chances in the World Test Championship. Meanwhile, Pandya is preparing for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, emphasizing his role in limited-overs cricket. His fit return could provide significant depth to the Indian Test squad, especially with a demanding schedule ahead.