Hardik Pandya is set to make his highly anticipated return to international cricket when India faces New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting Wednesday. This series will mark Hardik’s first appearance
for India since he suffered an injury during last year’s Asia Cup, which forced him to miss several key assignments. Now fully fit, the all-rounder is ready to rejoin the national setup at a crucial stage of the season.
Ahead of the opening game, the BCCI shared a light-hearted video from India’s training session that quickly caught fans’ attention.
In the clip, Hardik was seen asking people seated in the stands to move aside as he lined up for a big hit. Gambhir, keeping a close watch, quipped, “Tum kaha aim kar rahe ho? North Wing?” (Where are you aiming?).
Hardik replied, “On the first tier.”
The banter continued after one particularly huge six, with captain Suryakumar Yadav reacting in disbelief: “Abbey second tier pe maar diya?” (He hit it all the way to the second tier?).
Watch:
Sound On 🔊
Dialling up the intensity as #TeamIndia steps into T20I mode to take on New Zealand ⚡️ #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/RSE2DXLFXA
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 20, 2026
For Suryakumar, the series comes at a testing time. The year 2025 has been his toughest in India colours, with just 218 runs from 19 matches, no half-centuries, and a strike rate hovering around 123. Dropping down to No.4 to accommodate Tilak Varma at No.3 hasn’t helped his cause either. Opposing bowlers have found ways to contain him, especially with hard-length deliveries, and concerns over his right wrist have added to the pressure. With the T20 World Cup approaching, he will want to overcome the challenge of maintaining authority as a captain while struggling for runs.
Selection debates also remain open. Shreyas Iyer, known for his strong record against spin and leadership success in the IPL, has come into contention due to Tilak Varma’s abdominal surgery. His presence at No.4 could allow Suryakumar to return to his preferred No.3 position. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan’s explosive form makes him a strong option, particularly if India wants a left-handed enforcer at the top.
(With inputs from Agencies)
