NEW DELHI: Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged for efforts to bring star all-rounder Hardik Pandya back into the Test team, stressing his importance for India’s chances in winning their first World Test Championship (WTC) title and achieving success in Australia.
Gavaskar believes Pandya’s inclusion could be pivotal, especially after his recent key role in India’s T20 World Cup victory.Although Pandya had a promising start in his Test career, persistent injuries have limited him to just 11 Tests while prioritizing his white-ball career.
Pandya, who hasn’t played Test cricket since 2018, boasts a batting average of 31.29 and a bowling average of 31.05 in Tests. He has scored 532 runs in 18 innings, including one century and four fifties, alongside taking 17 wickets with best bowling figures of 5 for 28.In an interview with Revsportz, Gavaskar expressed optimism about India’s potential to dominate Test cricket and accomplish significant achievements.
“Yes, absolutely, they can. I think in the next two months, there should be an attempt to convince Hardik Pandya to play Test cricket. If he bowls ten overs a day to go with his batting, this Indian team could become invincible, and they can surely go on and win the WTC and beat Australia in Australia,” Gavaskar stated.
Gavaskar believes Pandya’s inclusion could be pivotal, especially after his recent key role in India’s T20 World Cup victory.Although Pandya had a promising start in his Test career, persistent injuries have limited him to just 11 Tests while prioritizing his white-ball career.
Pandya, who hasn’t played Test cricket since 2018, boasts a batting average of 31.29 and a bowling average of 31.05 in Tests. He has scored 532 runs in 18 innings, including one century and four fifties, alongside taking 17 wickets with best bowling figures of 5 for 28.In an interview with Revsportz, Gavaskar expressed optimism about India’s potential to dominate Test cricket and accomplish significant achievements.
“Yes, absolutely, they can. I think in the next two months, there should be an attempt to convince Hardik Pandya to play Test cricket. If he bowls ten overs a day to go with his batting, this Indian team could become invincible, and they can surely go on and win the WTC and beat Australia in Australia,” Gavaskar stated.
Team India has twice reached the WTC final since the tournament’s inception, only to fall short both times against New Zealand and Australia. The upcoming five-match Test series in Australia later this year offers another opportunity for India to assert their dominance and chase their first WTC title.
Gavaskar’s call to action underscores the strategic importance of Pandya’s potential return to Test cricket, aiming to enhance India’s prospects in their quest for Test supremacy and success Down Under.
