Former Australian skipper, Ian Chappell has opined that he doesn’t understand why all-rounder Hardik Pandya isn’t part of the Indian Test team. Australia missed a couple of crucial cogs in the Indore Test against India as Pat Cummins and David Warner headed home for various reasons. Cameron Green came into the playing eleven as a replacement and offered options with both bat and ball for the visitors.

This helped Australia in a way during the Indore Test, which they won by nine wickets, as it provided them with good balance. Chappell opened up on this matter and said, as quoted by Hindustan Times, that he doesn’t understand why Pandya isn’t part of the Indian Test team. The Indian all-rounder hasn’t been part of the Test setup since 2018.

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The Australia legend went on to say that if the 29-year-old wants to play for the Indian team in Test cricket, then he should be given the opportunity and said he would a lot of balance to the Indian team.

During a chat with ESPNCricinfo, Ian Chappel said, “I don’t understand why Hardik Pandya isn’t in the Indian team. People keep telling me he can’t bowl this much. But again, are you listening to the medical people or having a chat with the cricket people? If Pandya wants to play, he should be in the Indian side. He’s a good batsman, he bowls decently, he is a damn good fielder. To find the right balance, Australia needed Cameron Green in there. And India needs Hardik Pandya.”

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Hardik Pandya was asked during a press conference if he was looking at a return to the longest format of the game. The all-rounder gave a cryptic message at the time and said he wanted to be a regular in the limited-overs format first.

The Indian all-rounder said, “Let me first fully be on Blues (ODIs and T20Is) and then I will see about the whites (Tests).”