India's T20I skipper Hardik Pandya was considered India's next big thing in Test cricket. Pandya's presence in the Test side gave India a much-needed balance and the team management was ready to give him a long rope for the potential they saw in the Baroda all-rounder. However, not just Test cricket, Pandya's whole career came to a standstill when he was stretchered off the field during an India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2018 encounter. Years later, Pandya made a remarkable comeback but there is still a big question mark over his Test career.
"I will come (back) when I feel (it's) the right time to play Test-match cricket," Pandya told reporters after a record-breaking win over New Zealand in third T20I to win the series.
The 29-year-old has said that his current priority is limited overs cricket but he has not given up on Test cricket yet. "Right now, I'm going to focus on white-ball cricket, which is important, and if time is right and body is fine, I'll give (the long format) a try," he said.
Pandya played his last Test against England in September 2018 at Southampton where he took one wicket and scored just four runs including a seven-ball duck. So far, the attacking all-rounder has played 11 Tests and scored 532 runs at an average of 31.29 including one century and four fifties. His maiden Test ton came in 2017 against Sri Lanka.
In the post-match press conference also expressed that he has moved on from going after the bowlers from ball one and hitting huge sixes. Pandya said that he wants to take the responsibility legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni used to take.
"I've always enjoyed hitting sixes. But that's life, I've to evolve. I've believed in partnerships and I want to give my batting partner and my team some assurance and calmness that I'm there. I've played more games than any of these guys, I've learnt how to accept and swallow pressure and make sure everything is calm. Maybe I have to get my strike rate down for that. Taking new roles is always that I look forward to. I want to take the new ball role too, because I don't want anyone to come and take that difficult role. If they're under pressure, then we are chasing the game. I want to lead the front. I've been working on my new ball skills," he said.
"I don't mind playing the role that somewhere down the line, Mahi used to play. At that time, I was young and hitting all around the park. But since he's gone, all of a sudden, that responsibility is onto me. I don't mind that. We are getting the results. It's okay if I have to play a little slow," the T20I captain further added.
