<p>Ever since making his international debut in 2016, Hardik Pandya has become a vital cog in India's limited-overs squad with some sublime performances in the past. He appeared to be the answer to India's search for a seam-bowling all-rounder, and with his explosive batting and sprightly fielding complementing his main skill-sets, the Baroda cricketer has cemented his place in the Indian side.</p> <p>The only thing that was missing for the budding cricketer was a debut in the longest version of the game. But, on 26 July, his dream finally came true after he was handed his maiden Test cap from Indian captain Virat Kohli right before the start of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.</p> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Proud moment for young <a href="https://twitter.com/hardikpandya7">@hardikpandya7</a> as he is all set to make his Test debut <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash">#TeamIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvIND?src=hash">#SLvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/YTGTzQ0Z4y">pic.twitter.com/YTGTzQ0Z4y</a></p> — BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/890063957549076480">July 26, 2017</a> <p>The Indian skipper has been an ardent fan of Pandya for what he is capable of bringing to the table. Earlier, Kohli had hinted at the inclusion of the all-rounder into the playing XI given his ability to pick wickets at regular intervals. </p> <p>"We got a guy like Hardik Pandya who has a knack of picking wickets. He has a great chance of playing as well. That gives us the balance. The extra batsman gives us more solidarity," Kohli had said on Tuesday.</p> <p class="articleimg"><img id="ed-img" class="art-lazy imwidth-500" title="Brothers In Arms: Krunal Pandya Goes Gaga After Hardik Gets His Maiden Test Cap From Virat Kohli" data-original="http://media.new.mensxp.com/media/content/2017/Jul/brothers-in-arms-krunal-pandya-goes-gaga-after-hardik-gets-his-maiden-test-cap-from-virat-kohli-500-1-1501064616.jpg" alt="Brothers In Arms: Krunal Pandya Goes Gaga After Hardik Gets His Maiden Test Cap From Virat Kohli" src="http://media.new.mensxp.com/media/content/2017/Jul/brothers-in-arms-krunal-pandya-goes-gaga-after-hardik-gets-his-maiden-test-cap-from-virat-kohli-500-1-1501064616.jpg" />© BCCL</p> <p>At the toss, Kohli continued showering praise on the right-hander and explained the reason behind handing Pandya his Test debut. "This time around we are starting off with a more solid combination, trusting our four strike bowlers to do the job. And, Pandya's stepping in as well. He is a wicket-taker and can get those breakthroughs for us," Kohli said.</p> <p>Thanks to Kohli's backing and faith in the youngster, Pandya has now become the 289th cricketer to play Test cricket for India. He is also the first Baroda cricketer in last 14 years to be included in the national team for a Test match. Irfan Pathan was the last Baroda cricketer to play for India in the longest format in 2003.</p> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hardik Pandya - Test cap no. 289 for ð®ð³<br />To see you play Test cricket for our country makes me extremely proud. Well done, brother! <a href="https://t.co/RzAT5SV73Y">pic.twitter.com/RzAT5SV73Y</a></p> — Krunal Pandya (@krunalpandya24) <a href="https://twitter.com/krunalpandya24/status/890081946340085760">July 26, 2017</a> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to Hardik Pandya on becoming the 289th cricketer to play Test cricket for India <a href="https://t.co/YvgQjMAVLk">pic.twitter.com/YvgQjMAVLk</a></p> — Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/circleofcricket/status/890093405484855301">July 26, 2017</a> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/hardikpandya7">@hardikpandya7</a> on your test debut! Go well brother ðªð¼</p> — Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mitch_Savage/status/890099587368833024">July 26, 2017</a> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Proud moment ðð<br />Congratulations to my bro <a href="https://twitter.com/hardikpandya7">@hardikpandya7</a> for his test debut ð¤ chaa jao bro we all knw u gona rock in the test matches too ð <a href="https://t.co/g5VTwyyYYD">pic.twitter.com/g5VTwyyYYD</a></p> — Jassie Gill (@jassi1gill) <a href="https://twitter.com/jassi1gill/status/890096096302837760">July 26, 2017</a> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hardik Pandya - 289th player to appear in Tests for India.<br />The last Baroda player to make Test debut: Irfan Pathan in Dec 2003<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvInd?src=hash">#SLvInd</a></p> — Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) <a href="https://twitter.com/mohanstatsman/status/890061452689723392">July 26, 2017</a> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Test debut for Indian on 26th July:<br /><br />In 2010: Suresh Raina<br />In 2017: Hardik Pandya</p> — Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrokenCricket/status/890104536400109568">July 26, 2017</a> <p></p>