As India and South Africa get ready to face each other in the first match of the five-match T20 series, Hardik Pandya decided to train alone. The top all-rounder trained alone at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, where the first T20 match will be played on December 10.
Hardik Pandya was ruled out after suffering a quadricep injury during the Asia Cup in September. Due to injury he could not even play in the final against Pakistan. The Indian star finally returned to action earlier this month when he represented Baroda in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He performed brilliantly against Punjab by scoring a match-winning 77 runs and taking one wicket. Hardik Pandya also played against Gujarat.
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Hardik Pandya ready for international comeback:
After returning from injury and impressing for Baroda, Hardik Pandya is all set to don the Indian colours. Ahead of the first T20I against South Africa, he decided to familiarize himself with the conditions in Cuttack. Hardik Pandya fine-tuned his preparations for the series by batting and bowling in the nets before the opening match of the series.
Pandya reached Cuttack on Saturday (December 6) before deciding to train alone on Sunday. According to RevSportz, the India star started with a thorough warm-up and was assisted by Team India support staff members Nuwan and Dayanand Garani. He had also requested some net bowlers, both spinners and fast bowlers.
Hardik Pandya at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack before the first T20 match against South Africa.
@debasisen pic.twitter.com/GY7dUc6af0
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 7 December 2025
Hardik Pandya is practicing alone at Barabati Stadium https://t.co/2AI4pQ26U5 pic.twitter.com/pQNdHbWfX7
– Rohan Gangta (@rohanangta) 7 December 2025
The news outlet said that Pandya felt slight discomfort in his right hip area while bowling but still bowled at full intensity for 20 minutes. A massage session was conducted before getting ready for batting practice. He looked impressive in the nets and took the net bowlers to the cleaners. It is reported that Pandya hit many sky-high sixes. Most of the shots came right off the middle of his new bat and went deep into the stands.