India vs England 2020-21, 1st Test: Hardik Pandya sweats it out at the nets (See pictures)

India is all set to take on England to defend the Anthony de Mello Trophy in a four-Test series, starting Friday. The series would see Hardik Pandya making his return to the longest format after more than a year. Meanwhile, he is training hard at the nets, ahead of the series.

Ahead of the thrilling return of international cricket to India in more than a year, the Indian players are leaving no stones unturned to make sure that they take on England in the four-Test series, to defend the Anthony de Mello Trophy, with full fitness. The series would also see a few players playing Test cricket for the first time in India, with a few making their return.

Image courtesy: BCCI Twitter handle

Ahead of the thrilling return of international cricket to India in more than a year, the Indian players are leaving no stones unturned to make sure that they take on England in the four-Test series, to defend the Anthony de Mello Trophy, with full fitness. The series would also see a few players playing Test cricket for the first time in India, with a few making their return.

Image courtesy: BCCI Twitter handle

One of the players, making his return to the circuit, is prolific all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. Although Pandya has played limited-overs cricket of late, he has refrained from playing the longest format to give his back the ample time to rest and recover, since he underwent surgery in 2019.

One of the players, making his return to the circuit, is prolific all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. Although Pandya has played limited-overs cricket of late, he has refrained from playing the longest format to give his back the ample time to rest and recover, since he underwent surgery in 2019.

As he prepares for return to the format, he is sweating it out at the nets, at MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai. He has shared a series of pictures of his training ahead of the opening Test at the venue, from Friday.

Image courtesy: BCCI Twitter handle

As he prepares for return to the format, he is sweating it out at the nets, at MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai. He has shared a series of pictures of his training ahead of the opening Test at the venue, from Friday.

Image courtesy: BCCI Twitter handle

In this picture, he is seen practising his batting, as he is seemingly working on leaving the ball, an essential technique in the format.

Image courtesy: BCCI

In this picture, he is seen practising his batting, as he is seemingly working on leaving the ball, an essential technique in the format.

Image courtesy: BCCI

In this, he is seen having a chat with one of Team India's net bowlers, as the latter has been bowling at him in the nets.

Image courtesy: BCCI

In this, he is seen having a chat with one of Team India's net bowlers, as the latter has been bowling at him in the nets.

Image courtesy: BCCI

Here, he is jogging to keep his fitness level on the top. He captioned the post, "ack with #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 Back on home soil 🏟 Back in red-ball cricket 💪".

Image courtesy: BCCI

Here, he is jogging to keep his fitness level on the top. He captioned the post, "ack with #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 Back on home soil 🏟 Back in red-ball cricket 💪".

Image courtesy: BCCI