Former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag, has opened up on Hardik Pandya’s value in the Indian test team. Notably, Hardik Pandya has returned to India after the completion of the white-ball cricket in Australia.
The all-rounder has had fitness concerns with him ever since the 2019 Cricket World Cup came to a conclusion and since then, he has been on and off the team. The recent Australian summer was a bright one for him as he cemented his place in the Indian limited-overs side as a pure batsman.
Virender Sehwag Opens Up On Hardik Pandya’s Unavailability In The Test Series
The former Indian opener stated that the all-rounder might have already been a part of the Test squad if he was rolling his arm over.
“If he was bowling, then he would have been a part of the Test team,” Virender Sehwag stated.
He added that the junior Pandya might have asked the selectors not to include him in the Test squad as he is not bowling at the moment.
“It is possible Hardik Pandya might have told the selectors not to consider him for the Test matches as he is not bowling fit and that he will only play in the ODIs and T20Is and that he will join back his family,” Sehwag further said.
Sehwag Lavishes Praise On Hardik Pandya
Virender Sehwag pointed out that Hardik Pandya will be an integral member of the Indian Test team once he starts bowling as he can play the blazing knocks down the order.
“But no doubt when he starts bowling, he will be a crucial part of the Test team. Because the manner in which he bats in ODI cricket or T20Is, imagine if he starts scoring those quick runs at No.6 or No.7 in Test cricket, India will be in a good position to win Test matches,” Sehwag further stated.
“There is an importance of scoring quick runs in Test cricket as well as you give more time to your bowling unit to dismiss the other team,” Sehwag concluded.
The Indian team’s Test campaign against Australia will begin from December 17 as the first Test will get underway at the Adelaide Oval. The first Test will be a Day-Night Pink-Ball Test match, which will be the first Day-Night Test match between India and Australia.
