Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is in line to make a comeback from injury in the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand. Pandya has not played for India since September last year and his last appearance for the Men in Blue came in the T20I series against South Africa at home following which he was ruled out due to a back injury. He has recovered from the injury and is all set to return.
Pandya is likely to return in the white-ball scheme in the New Zealand series. India are scheduled to play a full-fledged series in New Zealand consisting of five T20Is, three ODIs and two Test matches starting from January 24. While his selection chances in ODI and T20I squads are strong, Pandya might not feature in the Test series.
His addition to the squad (for New Zealand series) could mean that Shivam Dube might be dropped. The 26-year-old was called into the limited-overs team in the absence of Pandya but hasn’t got enough opportunities to showcase his skills. He has been part of the playing XI T20Is on a regular basis.
In seven T20Is, Dube has scored 64 runs at a strike rate of 152.38. He was promoted to bat at number three in the second T20I against West Indies and the left-handed batsman made most out of the opportunity by scoring 54 off 30.
During the Bangladesh series, Dube had also turned the game in India’s favour with three wickets in the third T20I but all this might not see him keep his spot.
