Team India managed to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the second time in a row after New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in the opening match of their series. However, the team will be without the services of their star pacer Jasprit Bumrah this time. Hence, the addition of Hardik Pandya, who has been out of Test Cricket for a very long time, could be very beneficial.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Watson called for Hardik’s return to Test cricket.
“If his body can handle the rigours of Test cricket then absolutely. He has got incredible skills even with his batting alone,” Watson had said. “Bowling wise, if he is fit he charges in and he has got great skill. He can swing the brand new ball away and he would provide a huge impact for the Indian Test team. For me it eventually comes down to his body and whether it can handle the rigours of playing Test cricket as a fast-bowling all-rounder. I would love to see him push the limits as an all-rounder and cricketer when it comes to playing all formats of the game because he is one of the special talents in world cricket.”
Ahead of the start of the three-match ODI series against Australia, Hardik opened up on his plan for Test cricket and whether he would be available for the WTC final.
“No. I am ethically very strong person. I haven’t done 10% to reach there. I am not even a part of 1%. So me coming there and taking someone’s place will ethically not go well. If I want to play Test cricket, I’ll go through the grind and earn my spot. Hence, for that reason I will not be available for the WTC final or future test series until I feel that I have earned my spot,” Hardik said.