Melbourne: Hardik Pandya may have put his availability in India’s Test side in doubt due to his injury-ravaged back but Australian great Ian Chappell feels Team India should pick the all-rounder in the Test side when they make the trip Down Under later this year. Chappell also opined that the selection of spinners will be challenging for the Virat Kohli-led side in Australia.
The legendary Aussie cricketer believes the temperamental all-rounder would be crucial to handle the challenge posed by a strong home batting line-up. Pandya hasn’t featured in Tests since 2018 and has only recently recovered from a career-threatening back injury.
The big-hitting medium pacer is a vital cog in India’s limited-overs set-up. India and Australia are set to clash in a full series, including four Tests, beginning October and lasting till January 2021.
“It will help if Hardik Pandya is available. He gives India an extra bowling option to maintain the pressure when the leading fast bowlers need a rest,” Chappell wrote his column for ‘ESPNCricinfo’.
Pandya had recently spoken about the challenge that Test cricket is for him now given his injury-prone back, which needed surgery last year. He said that he understands his importance in the limited-overs format.
“This is Pandya’s chance to gradually build up overs in the three Tests before the SCG match, where he could act as the third seamer so that a second spinner can be included,” Chappell said.