Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is on the cusp of creating history when he returns to competitive cricket after a two-month break during India's three-match T20I series against Bangladesh set to begin on Sunday (October 6) at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior.
Hardik was last seen in action during the Men in Blue's three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in July. This is the only appearance Hardik has made for India since the 2024 T20 World Cup victory. Hardik played only two matches in the series and missed the ODIs that followed due to personal reasons.
Hardik Pandya On Cusp Of History
Related News | 
Sanju Samson Promoted; 2 Debutants In, Shivam Dube Out: India's Likely XI For 1st T20I vs Bangladesh
Sanju Samson Retained, No Ishan Kishan As BCCI Announces T20I Squad For Bangladesh Series
Hardik has the chance to create history in the three-match series as he needs just five wickets to break Bhuvneshwar Kumar's long-standing record and become India's highest wicket-taker in T20Is among pacers. Hardik has 85 scalps to his name, while Bhuvneshwar took 90 wickets in his career for India in the shortest format.
Hardik will also become India's second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is if he achieves the feat only behind leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal, who last played for India in August 2023, has taken 96 wickets in his career for the national team in T20Is.
| Player | Wickets For India In T20Is | Type |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 96 | Spinner |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 90 | Pacer |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 89 | Pacer |
| Hardik Pandya | 86 | Pacer |
| Arshdeep Singh | 83 | Pacer |
It is worth noting that Bumrah is ahead of Hardik, but the star pacer is not in the squad for the Bangladesh series. He will also miss the four-match T20I series against South Africa. Related News | 
Mayank Yadav To Debut, Sanju Samson To Open With Abhishek: India's Likely XI For 1st T20I Against Bangladesh
Hardik has the chance to become the first-ever Indian to take 100 wickets in T20Is, as Chahal and Bhuvneshwar are not part of India's scheme of things in the shortest format anymore.
Hardik is arguably India's greatest all-rounder in T20 cricket, as he also has 1523 runs to his name with the bat in 102 games. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he became the third Indian after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play 100 T20Is.