Hardik Pandya, an all-rounder of India, was the bright spot in India’s batting order in the limited-overs series comprising of 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against Australia.
While he was the third-highest scorer and India’s leading run-getter in the ODIs by scoring 210 runs in 3 games, he bagged the Player of the Series in the T20Is for his cameos in the 3 matches as he scored at a strike rate of 156-the highest in the 3 match T20I series.
Hardik Pandya Should Have Been In Test Team As He Can Energize Teammates: Shane Warne
He will, however, return home as he hasn’t been named in test squad to spend some quality time with his family.
Meanwhile, legendary former spinner of Australia Shane Warne has even suggested that he should be inducted into India’s Test squad for his unique ability to energize his teammate by instilling positive vibes.
The former Australian cricketer wrote that cricket needs superstars like Hardik Pandya so he could energize teammates with a positive vibe and backed his inclusion in the Test squad for the upcoming four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
They should !!!!! @hardikpandya7 should be in India’s test team. He has the unique ability to energise his teammates and lift all the team around his vibe. Cricket needs characters and superstars like him ! Fact ? https://t.co/GaWQMVysP1
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 8, 2020
Hardik Pandya has played only 11 tests where he averages 31 with bat and ball.
Hardik Pandya Should Stay Back For Test Series: Mohammad Kaif
Former Indian middle-order batsman Mohammad Kaif had also echoed Shane Warne’s statements and called for Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in the Test squad. Earlier on Sunday, Mohammad Kaif said that he should stay back in Australia for the upcoming Test series after scoring 210 runs in ODIs and 78 runs in T20Is.
India won three-match T20I series 2-1 despite losing the last T20I. India will next face Australia in 4 match test series which will be a day-night affair at Adelaide and see Virat Kohli’s involvement, but he will fly back home and miss last 3 tests to attend the birth of a first child.
Virat Kohli scored 173 runs in 3 ODIs and 134 runs in 3 T20Is averaging 57.67 and 44.67 respectively. Hardik Pandya meanwhile said that it would be team management’s decision whether he should stay back for tests.