Fit-again Hardik Pandya trains ahead of Ranji Trophy return

Hardik Pandya, who suffered a back injury during India’s Asia Cup opener, will play his first competitive game when Baroda takes on Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy from Friday.

Hardik Pandya trained with a top-flight cricket squad (Mumbai for the first time in nearly three months at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

Hardik Pandya trained with a top-flight cricket squad for the first time in nearly three months at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

After suffering a back injury during India's Asia Cup opener in Dubai in September, Pandya has been through a comprehensive rehab and will play his first competitive game when Baroda takes on Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy from Friday.

Pandya was closely monitored by Mumbai Indians physio Ashutosh Nimse besides Baroda coach Atul Bedade and his assistant Rakesh Patel