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Uthappa Urges Pandya's Test Return: "Wonderful" for India's No. 7 Spot

Former cricketer Robin Uthappa has publicly advocated for Hardik Pandya to make a comeback to Test cricket, stating it would be "wonderful" for India if he reclaimed the number seven spot. Uthappa believes the BCCI would not obstruct a fit and willing Pandya, who last played a Test in 2018, especially given India's ongoing search for a pace-bowling all-rounder. He highlighted Pandya's potential desire to complete a career "grand slam" by winning the World Test Championship, adding to his existing ICC trophies. Uthappa also expressed concerns about India's pace bowling depth beyond Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, noting room for improvement for bowlers like Prasidh Krishna.

Key Points: Uthappa Backs Pandya for Test Cricket Return to No. 7

  • Pandya's potential Test return
  • Solving India's all-rounder search
  • Aiming for the WTC "grand slam"
  • Concerns over pace bowling depth
3 min read

Wonderful if Pandya returns to No 7 spot in Tests : Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa says it would be "wonderful" if Hardik Pandya returns to Test cricket at No. 7, boosting India's WTC and all-rounder options.

"If Hardik Pandya returns to the No. 7 spot in Tests, it would be wonderful. - Robin Uthappa"

New Delhi, December 29

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa urged India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to make a Test return, saying it'd be "wonderful" if he slots back into the No. 7 spot.

Uthappa believed the BCCI won't stop him if he's fit and keen on playing.

Pandya last played Test cricket in 2018. Since then, due to a back injury, he hasn't played the red-ball formats. Since Pandya is not playing Test cricket, India have flirted with fast-bowling all-round options more, with Nitish Reddy and Shardul Thakur the leading contenders.

Pandya has played 11 Test matches for India, scoring 532 runs at an average of 31.29 with a century and four fifties, along with 17 wickets at an average of 31.05 under his belt.

"If Hardik Pandya returns to the No. 7 spot in Tests, it would be wonderful. The way he's playing. Anything can happen; it's cricket. Never say never. If Hardik decides to play Test cricket, will BCCI ask him not to play? If he says he wants to play and wants to win the World Test Championship (WTC), I don't think they would say no. I think they are asking him to prove his fitness. Are all-rounders bowling 20 overs? Nitish Kumar is not bowling that much. He's bowling 12 overs. If he's to bowl 12-15 overs per innings, I think he can do it the way he's fit now, the way he's bowling and batting. It's his own decision," Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube Channel.

"He's won multiple ICC world championships right now. He's won the ICC trophies - the Asia Cup, the T20 World Cup. He wants to win the ICC World Test Championship; also, then that's the whole grand slam, right? Which cricketer wouldn't want to do that for his country? He's halfway there," he added.

Uthappa also said he can't find any seamers in the Indian Test team other than Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, and praised Prasidh Krishna's effort, saying he has done well in patches but feels there's room for improvement.

"For me, right now it's Siraj and Bumrah, but after that I can't [find any]. I can't say that... Like Prasidh has done well in patches, but that confidence doesn't augur. I like him a lot, he's a great guy, hard-working cricketer, great work ethic, but that effectiveness that is there in Test cricket is what you want. Maybe I am old school, I don't know. Nowadays, economy rate is not a factor in Test cricket. People are okay going for 5-7 runs an over in the pursuit of trying to take wickets, given the way cricket is played... There's room for improvement in Prasidh," he added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, I'd love to see it! Pandya brings that X-factor. But his body has to hold up for 5 days. Maybe target specific overseas tours like England or Australia where his skills would be most valuable? 🤔
V
Vikram M
I respectfully disagree. We should look forward, not backward. Pandya had his chance and his body couldn't handle the workload. We need to invest in younger all-rounders like Nitish Reddy. Let Hardik focus on white-ball where he is a champion.
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Priya S
His batting average of 31 is actually decent for a No. 7 who bowls! The problem is we don't have anyone else. Shardul Thakur is not consistent enough. If Pandya is fit and *wants* to play Tests, the door should be open. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Rohit P
Uthappa is spot on about the bowling depth too. After Bumrah and Siraj, it's a real concern. Maybe Pandya's return could ease that pressure slightly. But first, let him prove his fitness in first-class cricket. No shortcuts, please.
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Michael C
The "grand slam" argument is compelling. Winning the WTC would cement his legacy. But is the desire really there? He seems very content as a white-ball superstar and IPL captain. Test cricket requires a different level of sacrifice.

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