Wasim Jaffer. Photo- Twitter
Wasim Jaffer. Photo- Twitter

Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian opening batsman, and current cricket analyst explain why all-arounder Hardik Pandya is unlikely to play in a Test match.

Pandya, an all-around player, will captain Team India against Ireland in the two-match T20I series. In the first game of the series on Sunday, India will play Ireland.

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya [Image-Getty]
Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian opener, says that even if Hardik Pandya is close to becoming a necessity for the Team India white-ball team, the ace all-rounder is still a long way from returning to the longest and most storied format of the game. After a championship-winning season with IPL 2022 rookies Gujarat Titans (GT), Pandya made a sensational comeback to the T20I side of the Rahul Dravid-coached Team India.

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (Image Credit: Twitter)

During the current Ireland tour, Pandya will command India’s backup team in place of captain Rohit Sharma, skipper Virat Kohli, and opener KL Rahul. The Rishabh Pant-less team will play two T20Is against Ireland under the captaincy of all-rounder Pandya.

‘We just leave him bowling four overs or at max 10 overs’: Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer was questioned about Pandya’s ability to play Test cricket again during a conversation on ESPNcricinfo. Pandya has emerged as a leading contender to lead India in white-ball cricket. “Due to the type of back surgery Hardik had, you do not see him bowling 15 to 18 overs a day. He will either start at four or five. In red-ball cricket, I do not see that happening, “said Jaffer.

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (Image Credit: Twitter)

“He is therefore far from joining the red-ball circuit in that sense. So I believe it will help him extend his career if we just let him bowl four overs or at most 10 overs in One-Day while batting at four, five, or six, “Wasim Jaffer continued.

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Pandya has featured in 11 Test matches for Team India since making his international debut in 2016. During India’s 2018 tour of England, Pandya last participated in a Test match.

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