The five-match Test series between India and England is currently underway. After losing the third Test at Lord's, the Indian team is now trailing 1-2 in the series.
Sports News: The five-Test match series between India and England is ongoing. Following the defeat in the third Test at Lord's, India is currently behind 1-2. The fourth Test will now be played in Manchester from July 23rd, but the lack of a pace all-rounder in the Indian Test team has once again become apparent in this series. In the Lord's Test, Nitish Reddy bowled decently, but he failed with the bat. In such a situation, it is natural to question how long India will continue to grapple with this problem when players like Hardik Pandya are out of the team.
Hardik Pandya: Out of the Test Team for Seven Years, Why?
Hardik Pandya played his last Test in August 2018 against England at Rose Bowl. Since then, he has consistently played for India in ODIs and T20s, but his return to the Test team has not materialized. Hardik struggled for a long time due to injuries, especially the back injury he sustained against Pakistan in the 2018 Asia Cup, which caused a break in his Test career.
Although Hardik subsequently made a successful comeback in the limited-overs format and proved himself, there has been no serious attempt to bring him back into Test cricket.
Statistics Say - Hardik is a Proven Player on Foreign Soil
Hardik Pandya has represented India in 11 Tests so far, in which he has:
- Scored 532 runs (average 31.29)
- 1 century and 4 half-centuries
- Best innings: 108 runs (against Sri Lanka in Galle)
- Hardik in bowling
- 17 wickets
- Best performance: 5 wickets for 28 runs
- Bowling average: 31.05
- Strike Rate: 55.1
During the 2018 England tour, he took 10 wickets, where his strike rate was 38.50, which was the best in that series after England's Moeen Ali. This means that when it comes to foreign pitches, Hardik Pandya can prove to be a useful option.
Is Workload Management the Reason? Why Can't Management Be Like Bumrah's?
Hardik certainly has a history of injuries, but the way Team India managed Jasprit Bumrah's workload, the same could have been done with Hardik. Hardik may not be played continuously in Tests, but he could have been included in important foreign tours to give the team the necessary balance. His options as a fast bowling all-rounder are limited, and his absence in the current team is somehow weakening the team.
Strong Performance in First-Class Cricket Too
- 29 matches, 1351 runs, average 30.02
- 1 century, 10 half-centuries
- 48 wickets
Hardik has played only 1 Test in India, and the rest have been on foreign soil. His bowling has the ability to swing and pace and be effective on foreign pitches, which can benefit India in places like England, Australia, or South Africa. This is the most important time for India when the team needs a permanent fast bowling all-rounder.
Young players like Nitish Reddy are still gaining experience, but they are not proving to be match-winners. Shardul Thakur got opportunities but lacked consistency. These options pale in comparison to Hardik's experience and ability. If Hardik is prepared for a comeback with proper workload management, he will not only give India balance but can also make useful contributions in difficult situations.
