India all-rounder Hardik Pandya hasn’t played a Test match since 2018. After the tour of England five years back, the team played in the Asia Cup in which he got injured. Since then, the team management has been careful about his workload. On the other hand, Pandya hasn’t been keen on playing the longest format. The Gujarat player has been playing only in the white-ball formats.
Meanwhile, the Asian team looking for a fresh journey in the World Test Championship 2023-25. The team is looking to move on from the WTC Final 2023. At this point, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has suggested Pandya to start focusing on playing Test cricket. However, the fans aren’t liking the former’s comments.
“I hope Hardik Pandya is listening. I want to see him play Test cricket, especially in these conditions,” Ganguly told India Today in an interview recently.
I don't think he has enough fitness
— Pichaa Paati (@Pichaa_paati) June 15, 2023
Definitely Hardik Pandya play test cricket should leading Indian side as a captain in all format
— Arvind Raghava (@ArvindRaghava5) June 15, 2023
Who he will replace? Jadeja? Lmao. He’s mediocre test batsman, Everyone in the current playing XI is way better than Hardik except Kohli.
— Anoop Mishra (@Anupmis25) June 15, 2023
What's the point of risking him now by Playing vs Windies in tests
There is WC in 4months and he has fragile body if he gets injured and ruled out of WC khatam there will be no pace AR in squad— Jersey 18 (@4evrRCB) June 15, 2023
We have lord shardul who is going to be India's one of best all rounder in overseas conditions hardik pandya is going to lead india in upcoming T20 wc he suits white ball Cricketer rn
— Advait Anjankar (@its_advait) June 15, 2023
If he starts playing Test cricket with full fitness it can solve alot of India's problems overseas…
— ?Aashish Shukla? (@Aashish_Shukla7) June 15, 2023
Lord Shardul says to Ganguly to ask Pandya to hold his back well, India already has a better all rounder in tests
— Jayesh (@Jayesh_45) June 15, 2023
Pandya ko Landya bolne Wale Hizde pic.twitter.com/C2jJrMPNwf
— Skipper ? (@Icommentfacts) June 15, 2023
Our top four is choking, but Ganguly want to replace Shardul who is doing good.
That's why this team is trophyless since last 10 years— Mr Om?? (@MrOm14852020) June 15, 2023
His Fitness Level is Zero, in Mid ipl where u have to bowl just 4 Overs,He wasn't Able to do that and in test cricket you know when you are an all Rounder the u must be as fit as Ben Stokes or Jadeja, That's why he can't come in test cricket…
— Ishan Tripathi (@ishan_maxtron) June 15, 2023
Na, keep him safe for white ball cricket that is enough. I get scared when he bowls his 2nd over too. Our mvp in white ball and not even needed in test setup. Shardul doing good for hs
— Mohit (@Mohit_28_) June 15, 2023
Whenever I hear overseas it reminds me of one n only legend ? pic.twitter.com/WzGhBblJzp
— r4hul? (@retd_ICTIAN) June 15, 2023
Ricky Ponting suggested Hardik Pandya play the WTC Final
Meanwhile, ahead of the WTC Final 2023, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting felt that Pandya could have played the summit clash.
“I know he is on record saying that the Test match game is probably a little bit hard on his body. But for a one-off game… he’s been bowling every game through this IPL and he’s bowling quick. He (Pandya) could be that X-factor there just to pick in a one-off game, come in and see what he can do with bat and ball. He could be the difference between the two teams,” Ponting had said on the Apex Council website.
