MUMBAI: If there is one thing that strikes you about Hardik Pandya these days, it is clarity of thought. On the eve of leading India for the first time in an ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium - Pandya was quizzed about whether he would consider the option of finally returning to Test cricket by turning out for India in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June.
Pandya’s response was clear, specific and left no room for confusion. India’s T20 captain, who played his last Test in 2018 at Southampton against England, doesn’t want to return to Test cricket unless he “goes through the grind and earns his spot.” The star allrounder feels it won’t be “ethical” for him to take up someone’s place in Tests right now. The 29-year-old’s presence would have added some much-needed depth and muscle both to India’s bowling and batting, but it’s clear that Pandya has set himself a long-term target for his Test return.
