The Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been known for being a match-winner ever since he made his debut in 2016. He has often been seen pulling off unimaginable wins for India with his all-around brilliance on the field. From smiling despite a nerve-wracking situation in the final over of a 2016 T20 World Cup game against Bangladesh to smashing a 95-ball 93 in a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town when the stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara failed.

Pandya also played a crucial role as a specialist batsman in the recently concluded white-ball series’ against Australia. Apart from knocks of 90 and 92 in the ODIs, he played a fiery knock of 42 in the 2nd T20I to help India chase down a 195-run target and taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series.

Due to his back issues, Hardik has been asked to bar himself from bowling for the time being and for the same reason, has been currently kept away from the rigors of the longest format. But Australian legend Shane Warne would have loved to see him in the whites.

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In an exclusive interview with Sports Tak, Shane Warne has said that he ‘loves’ Pandya, as he considers the latter in the list of his top three cricketers on the planet. Expressing his adoration for Pandya, Shane Warne called him a “swagger”, “rockstar” and “Mr Cool”. The 51-year-old added that Hardik has a West Indian to him as if he is coming staright out of an Antigua beach when he speaks.

Talking a hout the all-rounder, Warne said, “I will to have Hardik Pandya in the Test side. It’s bit of a surprise. I love him. I have said weeks ago that he is one of my top three players on the planet. I love him. He is awesome and he certainly did what he did in the T20Is and one-dayers. Now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and saying ‘how good is Hardik Pandya’.”

The legendary spinner further added, “I would love to see him the Test team, he is in such great form. With the loss of Virat Kohli, he bring a lot of things on the table — batting and may be few over of bowling. I think he helps the Indian team walk a bit taller. He is a bit of a rockstar. He has got that swagger, he is ‘Mr cool’, when he speaks you think he is from the West Indies.”

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Ahead of the first Day-Night Test between India and Australia, Warne said, “You think he has just come off a beach in Antigua. He is cool. I want him to bat at 6 or at 7 after Rishabh Pant at 6. Hopefully he will be back in the Test squad when he is back bowling full time. India have got so much of depth that it’s going to be a good side.”