Discussion again on Hardik Pandya’s return to Test cricket, Robin Uthappa said – if he is fit then there is no reason to stop him

Tezzbuzz Desk- The debate has once again intensified regarding the return of Indian cricket team’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to Test cricket. Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has openly expressed his opinion on this issue. Uthappa believes that if Hardik is fit and ready to play Test cricket, then BCCI will not stop him from including him in the team. Uthappa said that Hardik’s return to the number seven role in the Test team can prove to be very beneficial for India.

Hardik Pandya last played Test cricket in 2018. After this, a serious back injury kept him away from red-ball cricket. In his absence, the Indian team tried players like Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy as fast-bowling all-rounders.

Till now Hardik has played 11 test matches for India, in which he has scored 532 runs. During this period, he has scored one century and four half-centuries with his bat, while he has also taken 17 wickets in bowling. These figures show his ability to be a Test all-rounder.

During a conversation on his YouTube channel, Robin Uthappa said, “If Hardik Pandya returns to Test cricket at number seven, it would be fantastic. Anything is possible in cricket. If he wants to play and dreams of winning the World Test Championship, why would the board refuse him?”

According to Uthappa, BCCI’s biggest concern is about fitness and if Hardik proves his fitness, then doors will be open for him.

Uthappa also talked about the bowling workload of an all-rounder in Test cricket. He said that a Test all-rounder is usually expected to bowl 12 to 15 overs per innings. Giving an example, he said that at present Nitish Kumar Reddy is also bowling almost the same number of overs. In such a situation, if Hardik can bowl and bat with his current fitness, then he can handle this responsibility.

Uthappa believes that Hardik Pandya has already won big ICC trophies like T20 World Cup and Asia Cup. If he is successful in winning the World Test Championship, it can be considered as the Test Grand Slam of his career.

Regarding the fast bowling of the Indian Test team, Uthappa said that at present there is no fully established option apart from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj. He praised Prasidh Krishna, but also said that his consistency and effectiveness in Test cricket still needs improvement.