Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan recently opined that the lack of a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder in the Test side is causing trouble for India. He identified that an all-rounder of the quality of Hardik Pandya is what India require in Test cricket currently. Hardik is a top player and a key cog of India’s white-ball unit. Through his performances, he has taken India to the winning side many times. But because of his fitness problems, he was unable to repeat his heroics in the longest version.
Hardik Pandya’s Test Career and Absence
Making his Test debut in the year 2017, Hardik’s last match in the longest format was played in 2018. McMillan said that in conditions away from home, it is necessary for a team to have a fast-bowling all-rounder.
“In Asian conditions, you need a spin-bowling allrounder like Jadeja, Washington or previously R Ashwin. In NZ, Australia and England, you need a fast-bowling allrounder. It is where India are missing a player like Hardik Pandya who can bowl medium pace and bat lower down the order,” McMillan told Times of India.
Praise for Shubman Gill’s Leadership
The Kiwi great also discussed Shubman Gill’s leadership in his first Test tour as a skipper against England.
“He looks a good captain. The first series is very tough. In such a pressure-cooked series, he probably made a few mistakes. But you expect those in his first series. He will get better with experience. He is the future, so India will invest in him. He will get to know his team’s game, which I think is really important, and the style of play,” said McMillan.
“When India had played under Virat Kohli, everyone knew how they had played – they had been aggressive. It might be a bit different because of the personality of Gill. He has got to work that out with the coach Gautam Gambhir,” he added.
