The entire cricketing world is waiting with bated breath to witness the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final slugfest between India and Australia which will be held at the Ovals in London from June 7 to June 11.
India skipper Rohit Sharma highlighted the need for a fast-bowling all-rounder which will play an instrumental role in the English conditions at the Ovals. Meanwhile, India's such star fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled himself out of India's squad for the upcoming WTC final as he thinks he hasn’t earned his spot in the Test squad. Hardik said that he hasn't done enough to deserve a place in the Test side.
Meanwhile, ahead of India's ODI series against Australia in the pre-match press conference, Hardik said,"No. I am ethically very strong person. I haven’t done 10% to reach there. I am not even a part of 1%. So me coming there and taking someone’s place will ethically not go well. If I want to play Test cricket, I’ll go through the grind and earn my spot. Hence, for that reason I will not be available for the WTC final or future Test series until I feel that I have earned my spot.”
The 29-year-old last featured for India in a Test match against England back in 2018. So far Hardik has played 11 Tests for India in which he has amassed 532 runs with a century against his name. As far as his bowling is concerned, Hardik has snared a total of 17 wickets riding on a fifer which came against England at Trent Bridge in 2018.
As per Hardik he would only take part in Tests once he earns his stripes. In January while responding to a question where he was asked when he’ll be seen in the Test matches, Hardik had said, ‘When will I be seen in whites?’ Let me be fully be in Blue first and then I’ll say about the whites.”
Meanwhile, Hardik will be leading India's pack in the first ODI against Australia on March 17 (Friday) in absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma.
India's squad for ODI series: Rohit Sharma (c), Yuzvendra Chahal, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Jaydev Unadkat, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav.
Australia's squad for ODI series: Steve Smith (c) Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
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