Not Shardul Or Sundar! Ex-Cricketer Feels India Missing This Star All-Rounder In Tests
Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan felt that India miss Pandya when it comes to a fast-bowling all-rounder in foreign conditions.
Following the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, a plethora of youngsters have been trying to settle in India's Test set-up. Though head coach Gautam Gambhir has categorically denied calling it a transitional phase, the way the England Tests went, the team definitely needs time to ace perfection.
While countless talents are waiting in the wings for an opportunity, some players have stepped aside after showing a glimpse of what they can do in red-ball. One of them is all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
The experts of the game have often suggested that the Indian cricket team needs Pandya, especially on overseas tours. Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan, who is currently associated with the NZ women's side as an assistant coach, felt that India miss Pandya when it comes to a fast-bowling all-rounder in foreign conditions.
'In Asian conditions, you need a spin-bowling allrounder like Jadeja, Washington or previously R Ashwin. In NZ, Australia and England, you need a fast-bowling allrounder. It is where India are missing a player like Hardik Pandya who can bowl medium pace and bat lower down the order," Mcmillan was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
It's been 7 years since Pandya turned up in whites. India's tour of England in 2018 was the last time he played Test cricket for India. His career was marred with injuries thereafter, and post-recovery, Pandya kept himself confined to white-ball cricket.
11 Tests, scoring 532 runs, including a century and 4 fifties. He has also picked up 17 wickets at an average of 31.05.
McMillan also spoke about Gill's captaincy on his first assignment, in England. The former all-rounder said that though the 25-year-old Punjab batter made a few mistakes, he will get better with experience.
'He looks like a good captain. The first series is very tough. In such a pressure-cooked series, he probably made a few mistakes. But you expect those in his first series. He will get better with experience. He is the future, so India will invest in him. He will get to know his team's game, which I think is really important, and the style of play," he added.
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