Former India opener Akash Chopra has given his opinion on when Hardik Pandya will be able to return to Test cricket. The flamboyant all-rounder has made himself unavailable for selection after the 2021 T20 World Cup as he looks to regain his 100 per cent fitness to serve the Indian team. Hardik’s bowling fitness has put him under a lot of questions in the T20 WC. In his absence, Team India is on the lookout for a fast-paced all-rounder and Shardul Thakur is at the forefront to grab the spot with his performances in red-ball cricket.
Chopra said if Hardik’s back problem forced him to stop bowling, it would be very difficult for him to regain his place in the Test team.
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“Never Say Never. To be honest, Hardik himself has said that he doesn’t want to play because of the condition of his back. To be honest, if Hardik’s back problem constantly bothers him and he doesn’t bowl then it’s a lot. Its difficult.”
Hardik has played 11 Test matches so far in which he has taken 17 wickets while he has scored 532 runs. Meanwhile, Shardul has 24 wickets in 6 matches while he has played some important innings with the bat. He has scored 232 runs with the highest score of 67.
Chopra further added, “But if he recovers completely, he is fit to bowl and can bowl long spells, then Hardik is hearty.”
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The former India opener said that Hardik will be ahead of Shardul if he is fit to bowl.
“If you need a fourth fast bowler and a proper batsman, Hardik Pandya will bring a little more balance to this team, I believe because as a fourth pacer you play as one of the five. His role as a batsman is little more than that of being a bowler.
“So in my opinion, if Hardik is fit, bowls well and has the ability with the bat, he will be a little ahead of Shardul. But unless he is fit, Shardul is ruining everyone.”
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