India haven’t had the services of a seamer all-rounder in Test cricket since Hardik Pandya stopped playing the format due to injuries. Shardul Thakur has tried, but he hasn’t been impressive. The sub-continent team missed a player of Hardik’s calibre in the first innings of the World Test Championship Final against Australia at the Oval.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain raised a question about Hardik’s absence. “Where is Hardik pandya?” Hussain asked in the commentary box.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Hardik Pandya was asked to make himself available for the one-off Test of the WTC Final, but he refused as it would have been unfair for the players playing throughout the WTC cycle to help the team reach the finals.
“He is not ready to play Test cricket because of his body. However, when he was reminded that it is a matter of one game, his answer was on the expected line. Hardik said it was not fair on players who have been a part of the journey to the final,” said Ricky Ponting.