Gave Up On Test Cricket Too Easily: Ex-South Africa Star Makes Bold Remark On Hardik Pandya Ahead Of WTC Final

Posted by Admin June 5, 2023 Cricket

Hardik Pandya last played Test Cricket in 2018.

Photo : BCCI

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Hardik Pandya exclusively plays white-ball cricket for India now.
He last played Test Cricket in 2018.
Former South Africa all-rounder feels that Panyda gave up on Tests too early.

India are set to face Australia in the final of the World Test Championship 2023 at the Kennington Oval from July 7 (Wednesday). India will be going in with a strong squad, but a major name missing in action will be Hardik Pandya. The star all-rounder is now an exclusive white-ball player for India and has given up on playing the longest format of the game for quite some time now. Former South Africa all-rounder and current Tripura head coach Lance Klusener feels that the Gujarat Titans captain gave up on Test cricket way too easily.

In a press conference, when Lance Klusener was asked if Hardik Pandya had given up on Test Cricket easily, the South African replied with a yes. He also added that Pandya is a fantastic cricketer and it’s always chellenging to be one of the best all-rounders in the world.

“Yes, possibly. Test cricket (is) always the pinnacle of testing where you are as a cricketer, and testing yourselves,” 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 said.

Earlier last month Hardik Pandya had distanced himself from selection for the WTC final as he felt that he had not played any part in the team’s journey to qualify for the marquee event at the Oval.

“I haven’t done 10 per cent to reach there. I am not even a part of one per cent. 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 don’t feel that I have earned my spot,” he had said.

Hardik Pandya has played 11 Test Matches where he has scored 532 runs and picked up 17 wickets. He last played in the longest format of the game in 2018 against England.