‘Fitness kidar hai?’ -Fans react as Sourav Ganguly talks about reintegrating Hardik Pandya back to Test Cricket
India recorded a huge defeat in the hands of Australia at the World Test Championship final in England at the Oval by 209 runs. The Men in Blue did not step up to the big occasion as the Kangaroos performed better than them across all departments.
Some were quick to point fingers at Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid for the loss. While some others felt it was time for the likes of the aging players to move and make way for young blood.
Sourav Ganguly was of the opinion that the youngsters who are up and coming can gradually be bought in to the Indian Team fold. Ganguly also hinted in a message to India all-rounder Hardik Pandya that he should come back and play Test cricket.
In an interview with India Today, the former India captain refused to jump the gun on Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli and said that they are still vital pillars in the Indian Test side.
There are some fantastic players for India in domestic cricket- Sourav Ganguly
“Let’s not jump to conclusions due to just one loss, India will always have talent. And I don’t think it is time to look beyond Virat (Kohli) or (Cheteshwar) Pujara. Virat is just 34,” Ganguly said. Then he talked about the enormous talent pool that India has and who could be the youngsters that could stake their claim in the Indian side.
“India has enormous reserves. When you look at some of the performances. I don’t consider IPL performances if we are sticking to Test cricket. In domestic cricket there are some fantastic players and you will only find out when you give them opportunities. Whether it be Jaiswal or Patidar, Abhimanyu Easwaran from Bengal scores a lot of runs. Shubman Gill is young, Ruturaj Gaikwad and I hope Hardik Pandya is listening. I want to see him play Test cricket, especially in these conditions,” Ganguly added.
Taking about Hardik Pandya, he has represented the national side in 11 red ball games. The all rounder has scored 532 Test runs and picked up 17 wickets. Pandya last played Test cricket in 2018 for India. When quizzed about a Test comeback, he talked about doing the hard yards and then getting back.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/tipsy_spock/status/1669234545550393344?s=20
This is shameful our domestic circuit is so big yet we aren’t willing to pick a fast bowling all rounder instead we always cry for a player who left this format
— ArYaNn (@Agora_noHills) June 15, 2023
all the best hardik pic.twitter.com/TuW7lDAWAn
— rishii (@rishiism_) June 15, 2023
Kitni baar to usse t20 ke chaar over nahin dal paate,kabhi baigh jaata hai bahar to kabhi ball hi nahin daalta,4 over ki fitness bhi mushkil se hi hai,test cricket kya hi khelega
— Noone (@UdtaS) June 15, 2023
That is his choice I believe. Test cricket is hard on the body especially if you are a bowler/all-rounder. With the amount of cricket played these days, no wonder people like Hardik are choosing one format over other.
— Joby Varghese (@Jobyneriyampara) June 15, 2023
If Hardik can make himself available only for Eng away series then it would be huge boost..For Aus series anyway India will play both spinners and 3 fast bowlers so need of him there ..But India need in Eng bcz he's an amazing swing bowler who has pace.Remember his spell in 2018
— Rohit Jaiswal (@Jaiswalrohit99) June 15, 2023
I hope Sourav Ganguly is listening, his fitness not even to bowl 10 over in odi, nd in T20 also, that's why he comes at no3-4 to prove himself as batsman. How can he play test, better to groom a fast bowling all-rounder
— STARK (@starkt3000) 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
https://twitter.com/kunaalyaadav/status/1669226024822009857?s=20
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 (@imanup45) June 15, 2023
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