"I would be very surprised, because I know his body" - Dinesh Karthik skeptical about Hardik Pandya's red-ball return 

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik feels it would be difficult for Hardik Pandya to feature in Test cricket again considering his recent injury track record and workload. The ace all-rounder has sparked discussions of returning to the Indian Test team after a five-year absence.

Hardik was spotted practicing with a red ball during the off-season, and reports suggest that he will turn up for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy to be considered for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy towards the end of the year. India have been devoid of pace-bowling all-rounder options in Tests of late, with Shardul Thakur coming across as the only reliable option.

Hardik's potential return could beef up the understaffed department, and give India options to find balance in overseas conditions.

Karthik is excited by the prospect of Hardik Pandya potentially making a return but opined that he will be surprised if the plan comes to fruition.

“Wow, that would be really good. Especially someone with his skill set, so fast bowling and batting in Australia would be good, but to be very honest, I would be very surprised, because I know his body; it’s not that easy for him to play Test cricket where he is today, so I again will be surprised,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show recently.

Hardik last played a Test during the England tour in 2018. He turned up for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy later during the same year, which is still his last official red-ball appearance.

India's all-rounder options including Hardik Pandya each come with their own set of problems

Team India have often gone with the one-spinner formula in overseas Tests, with the fourth seamer being a handy batter to add to the batting depth. While they have their frontline options ready, the all-rounder is the final piece of the puzzle.

The first-choice Shardul Thakur has proved his worth with valuable contributions away from home. However, he has just recovered from ankle surgery and has been out of action for quite a while.

Other options include Hardik Pandya, who has not played red-ball cricket in almost six years, Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had a poor Duleep Trophy and is yet to make his debut, and the same underwhelming case can be made for Shivam Dube.