Former BlackCaps batting all-rounder and current White Ferns assistant coach Craig McMillan feels that India men's team were missing a fast-bowling all-rounder like Hardik Pandya on recently concluded tour of England. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur had diminishing returns in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. McMillan feels England benefitted from having a player like Ben Stokes who can contribute in both departments of the game. He noted that while a spin-bowling order is ideal for sub-continent conditions, teams need a pace-bowling all-rounder in SENA countries.
“In Asian conditions, you need a spin-bowling all-rounder like Jadeja, Washington or previously R Ashwin. In NZ, Australia and England, you need a fast-bowling all-rounder. It is where India are missing a player like Hardik Pandya who can bowl medium pace and bat lower down the order. For England, Ben Stokes is two players in one,” McMillan told TOI.
What Hardik Pandya hasn’t played Test cricket in 7 years?
Pandya has stopped playing Test cricket since his back injury. He has made himself available for limited-overs cricket. He played a crucial role in helping India win the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in UAE.
Hardik Pandya’s Test cricket record
In 2017, he was fastracked to Test cricket and often compared to Kapil Dev. His last Test appearance was against England on 2018 tour. From 11 Tests, he has 532 runs at an average of 31.29, including a century and four half-centuries. His strike rate in Tests is 73.88.
With the ball, he has 17 wickets at an average of 31.05, including a fifer against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
Hardik Pandya in action next month
Meanwhile, Pandya is set to be in action after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 where he led Mumbai Indians (MI) to playoffs. After passing the fitness test, he will join captain Suryakumar Yadav for the preparation cap. He will be on the flight to UAE for the T20 Asia Cup 2025. India are placed in Group A alongside hosts UAE, Pakistan and Oman. India's campaign opener is against UAE on September 10 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the same venue where they won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.