Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, has made a bold selection call suggesting that Hardik Pandya’s return to the Test cricket setup could make Team India invincible. Gavaskar believes that Pandya, who played a crucial role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, can significantly strengthen India’s Test team if he starts bowling again and bats at number 6 or 7.
Gavaskar’s comments come as India prepares for a packed Test schedule later this year, including three Tests against New Zealand in October and a four-Test series in Australia starting in late November. He emphasized that Pandya’s presence, even if he bowls just ten overs a day, combined with his batting prowess, would make India formidable on any surface and against any opposition.
Pandya, who has not played Test cricket for nearly six years and has only 11 Tests to his name, has recently seen a resurgence in form. However, his performance in IPL 2024, where he took over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians from Rohit Sharma and the team finished at the bottom of the table, drew significant criticism. His redemption came with stellar performances in India’s T20 World Cup triumph, which has once again highlighted his potential.
Gavaskar hopes that efforts will be made to convince Pandya to return to Test cricket. The newly-appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will have a crucial role in this transition as India continues its 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Gambhir’s tenure will be tested as he navigates this challenging period and potentially integrates Pandya back into the Test team.