India Vs South Africa 2019/20: MSK Prasad Explains Why They Don’t Consider Hardik Pandya In Test Series
Sep 14, 2019 at 2:13 PM
The Indian pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya has missed out the Test squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa. MSK Prasad, the chief selector, has revealed the reason why they haven’t selected Hardik for the forthcoming Test series.
The 25-year-old Hardik Pandya last played for India in the semifinal of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He didn’t participate during the recently concluded tour in the USA and West Indies. However, he has returned to the national squad for the upcoming home T20I series against South Africa, starting from this Sunday (15th September).
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As he is ready for the forthcoming home T20I series, many had believed that Pandya would return to the Test squad during the home Test series against South Africa.
After the Southampton Test against England in August-September 2018, Hardik hasn’t played another Test match yet. He was in the national squad for the last two Tests during the last Australia tour (December-January 2018/19). But he didn’t play in those Test matches, and later, he entered into the big trouble for his comments on Koffee with Karan.
Once again, Hardik has missed out the Test squad. Talking about his recent non-inclusion in the Test squad, MSK Prasad has clarified that they haven’t felt any importance for the seam-bowling all-rounder for the home Test series.
Prasad claimed, “We did not feel the need for a seam-bowling all-rounder for home series. Yes, he plays ODIs and T20Is, so it’s a combination of both.”
Hardik Pandya has played 11 Tests, but only one in India
Since his Test debut in July 2017 against Sri Lanka at Galle, Hardik has played 11 Tests. The right-handed batsman has scored 532 runs in Test career (average 31.29), including one century and four half-centuries. Moreover, the right-arm pacer has also taken 17 wickets in Test career, including one five-wicket haul.
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However, in India, Hardik has played only one Test, and that was against Afghanistan in June 2018. The right-handed batsman scored 71 runs in the first innings but didn’t manage to pick up any wicket.