Fast-bowling all-rounders are a rare commodity in India. That is why Hardik Pandya has been backed by the team management. Even after a lacklustre Indian Premier League (IPL) as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain, he was picked in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad and proved his mettle with all-round performances. In the final, he got the much-needed wicket to turn the game upside down. However, the Baroda all-rounder has stayed away from Test cricket since the back injury and focused on white-ball cricket. Former India cricketer Lalchand Rajput who was team’s manager in T20 World Cup 2007 wants Hardik to start playing Test cricket again as he is capable of changing the game in all departments of the game.
“I would love to see him in the red-ball cricket. He is a player who can change the course of the game in all three departments,” Rajput told Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview.
“If he could do well in red-ball cricket, that would add value to the team. He's an all-rounder who can come at no.6 and also bowl a couple of overs.”
Hardik’s Test numbers
Hardik's last appearance in Test cricket was in 2018 against England. He has played 11 Tests and scored 532 runs from 18 innings at an average of 31.29 including one century and four fifties. With the ball, he has 17 wickets at an average of 31.05 including a solitary fifer.
Rajput backs selectors’ decision
Hardik recently lost the T20I captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav and was removed as vice-captain too. Rajput feels that Hardik should play more freely as he is not burdened by captaincy. He backed the decision made by the selectors to make Suryakumar as Rohit Sharma's T20I successor.
"I think the selectors must have thought in the line with coach, too. The management wants Hardik Pandya to do well. If they release him from captaincy, he can play freely and give his best performance with bat and ball,” the 60-year-old said.
“I heard the press conference of Ajit Agarkar, he said most of the time he was unfit. They need a captain who is fit to play all the games. That must have tilted the favour towards Suryakumar Yadav. SKY has also been a captain of the Mumbai Ranji team and started early in the T20 format. He will lead the team in the best possible way.”
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