Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener believes Hardik Pandya gave up Test cricket too easily. Hardik, who suffered a career-threatening injury during the Asia Cup 2018, never played another Test match after recovering. Pandya, while not officially retiring from the format, has shown no interest in playing the long format as well.
Kulsener stated in Kolkata, ahead of his new coaching role with the Tripura Cricket Association, that players like Hardik Pandya are an asset to any team in the world, in any format of the game.
“He (Pandya) is a fantastic cricketer, and if he can stay fit and continues to bowl 135+ kmph, he will always be challenging as one of the best allrounders in the world,” Klusener told the reporters in Kolkata.
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Asked if Pandya gave up on Test cricket a bit too easily, Klusener said, “Yes, possibly. Test cricket (is) always the pinnacle of testing where you are as a cricketer, and testing yourselves.”
Pandya was asked about a possible return to Test cricket ahead of the WTC Final earlier in 2023. He stated that he would not want to obstruct a position that he did not believe he deserved.
“I haven’t done even 10% to get there.” I am not even one-tenth of one percent. So, coming there and taking someone’s place will be unethical. If I want to play Test cricket, I’ll have to put in the effort. As a result, I will not be available for the WTC final or future Test series until I feel I have earned my spot,” he told the media.
