Hardik Pandya in action. (Courtesy: X)

In a major boost for the Indian cricket team and Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya returned to competitive cricket on Monday for the first time in four months, featuring for Reliance 1 team in the DY Patil  T20 Cup. The Team India all-rounder had suffered an ankle injury during the 2023 World Cup match against Bangladesh and since then has been under rehabilitation. Since then, he has missed the tour to South Africa and the ongoing series against England.

Pandya underwent his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He cleared the fitness test and underwent net sessions at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara along with Ishan Kishan. The Vadodara-native had shared the videos of his drills after recovering.

The Indian all-rounder scalped two wickets on return which is an indication of his full match-fitness. He is also a vital cog for the national team for the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. Incidentally, his national teammates Kishan and KL Rahul will also feature in the DY Patil T20 Cup.

It is also clear now that Pandya will lead Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024, starting from March 22. The Indian all-rounder led Gujarat Titans to their maiden title in the debut season of the lucrative tournament and followed it up by becoming the runners-up in the IPL 2023.

Pandya amassed nearly 800 runs and scalped 11 wickets for Gujarat Titans in his two season