The Indian platoon has been facing review from all corners in the wake of a disappointing defeat against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021- 23 final. While numerous have put the blame on the trainer- captain brace of Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma, some believe it’s time for the Indian platoon operation and the pickers to look beyond some of the elderly players in the team.
Calls have grown in the once many days over the axing of some of the stagers in the team with several former cricketers and experts asking for the addition of talented youths in the Test team. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly too believes there’s gift still untouched in Indian justice and some of the youths need to be given openings to prove themselves at the loftiest position.
While he picked the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran among others as implicit campaigners for the Test platoon, Ganguly made a plea to star all- rounder Hardik Pandya. prompting him to return to playing Test justice again, the former BCCI chairman said he wants to see Hardik playing the longest format, especially in overseas conditions.
“India has enormous reserves. When you look at some of the performances. I don’t consider IPL performances if we’re sticking to Test justice. In domestic justice there are some fantastic players and you’ll only find out when you give them openings. Whether it be Jaiswal or Patidar, Abhimanyu Easwaran from Bengal scores a lot of runs. Shubman Gill is youthful, Ruturaj Gaikwad and I hope Hardik Pandya is harkening. I want to see him play Test justice, especially in these conditions, ”
Hardik was an integral member of the Indian Test team before a back injury halted his progress in the longest format. The each- rounder, who remains a vital cog in India’s limited- overs setup, last played a Test match for India in September 2018. He has not featured in whites for nearly five times amid constant reverse issues.
There were rumours of Hardik’s return to the Test team ahead of the lately- concluded WTC final against Australia at the Oval. still, the each-rounder played down the suggestions by attesting that he won’t make himself available for selection in Tests until he feels he’s attained full fitness and is ready to earn his spot in the platoon.
Still, I’ll go through the grind, I’ll earn my position and also come back, “ If I want to play Test justice. For that reason, to be veritably honest, I’ll not be available or play the World Test Championship Final, or any unborn Test matches until I feel that I’ve earned my spot, ” Hardik said in March this time.
While Ganguly is in favour of promoting youths in the Test team keeping an eye on the future, the former India commander believes it’ll be too early to write off the likes of Cheteshwr Pujara and Virat Kohli, who have been facing the heat in the wake of India’s WTC final loss.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions due to just one loss, India will always have gift. And I don’t suppose it’s time to look beyond Virat( Kohli) or (Cheteshwar) Pujara. Virat is just 34, ” said Ganguly. Know More Latest Cricket News…
