Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that the inclusion of all-rounder Hardik Pandya in Test cricket could transform the Indian team into an unstoppable force in red-ball cricket. Gavaskar’s confidence in Pandya’s potential impact is rooted in his versatility and recent form.
Hardik Pandya’s sublime touch
Hardik Pandya has been away from Test cricket for nearly six years. His recent performances in ODIs and T20Is, including 11 wickets and 144 runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup, showcase his match-winning abilities.
“I’m hoping that, in these next two months, there will be some effort made to try and convince Hardik Pandya to come back to Test cricket,” Gavaskar told RevSportz. “If he starts batting at no. 6 or 7, maybe bowling just ten overs a day, but there with his batting, this Indian team will be pretty much invincible in any country, on any kind of surface,’ Gavaskar said.
Hardik has played 11 Tests for India, accumulating 523 runs and taking 17 wickets. His last Test appearance was in 2018 against England before being sidelined due to injury and workload management.
India is set to play three Test matches against New Zealand in October, followed by a challenging four-Test series against Australia in late November.
Gavaskar emphasizes that Hardik’s all-round capabilities could be the game-changer during these crucial fixtures.
Gavaskar’s vision of an invincible Indian Test team hinges on Hardik Pandya’s return, combining his explosive batting with controlled bowling. If the team management can convince Hardik, India’s quest for the World Test Championship title and victories abroad could receive a significant boost.
Also Read: Rubina Francis and Swaroop Unhalkar Secure Paris Paralympics Quota via Wildcard