Hardik Pandya advised to re-evaluate Test aspirations: 'Don’t think BCCI would say no'

India's premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya (AP Photo)

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been pushed by former India cricketer Robin Uthappa to re-evaluate his Test cricket aspirations and return to a red-ball setup in order to help India win the World Test Championship (WTC). Following the retirement of Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Rohit Sharma, Team India is under intense scrutiny following their Test series defeat to South Africa. Captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir are under increasing pressure to get their WTC campaign back on track.

Uthappa thinks Hardik's comeback to the No. 7 position will bolster the Test team during a difficult time for Indian cricket. Given his current fitness and condition, Uthappa believes the all-rounder still has a lot to contribute in the longest format and that a return with an eye toward the WTC will be a great prospect.

“If Hardik Pandya returns to the No. 7 spot in Tests, it would be wonderful. The way he’s playing. Anything can happen; it’s cricket. Never say never. If Hardik decides to play Test cricket, will BCCI ask him not to play? If he says he wants to play and wants to win the World Test Championship, I don’t think they would say no. I think they are asking him to prove his fitness. Are all-rounders bowling 20 overs? Nitish Kumar is not bowling that much. He’s bowling 12 overs. If he’s to bowl 12-15 overs per innings, I think he can do it the way he’s fit now, the way he’s bowling and batting. It’s his own decision," Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.

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Since making his debut in 2017, Hardik has appeared in 11 Test matches; however, he hasn't participated in the format since 2018. He has been forced to concentrate on white-ball cricket due to injury woes, and the BCCI is carefully controlling his workload because of his role as a fast-bowling all-rounder in the system.

Uthappa highlighted Hardik's desire to succeed in all formats, citing the all-rounder's excellent collection of ICC trophies and speculating that the WTC would be the final component in his quest for a full international legacy.

“He's won multiple ICC world championships right now. He’s won the ICC trophies – the Asia Cup, the T20 World Cup. He wants to win the ICC World Test Championship also, then that’s the whole grand slam, right? Which cricketer wouldn’t want to do that for his country? He’s halfway there,” he added.