Hardik Pandya can become a good Test all-rounder feels Anil Kumble

Team India head coach believes that all-rounder Hardik Pandya has the ability to be a good all-rounder in all the three formats of the game. India had sprung a surprise when they had given the new ball to Hardik in the ODIs against New Zealand last year. To surprise the fans even further, he bowled exceedingly well with the new ball. He later credited his success to the hard work he put in during his stint with the India A team under the coaching of Rahul Dravid.

Now, Pandya has become a first choice new ball bowler for India in ODI format. The Baroda all-rounder has been named in the India Test team for the one-off Test against Bangladesh. Speaking about the move, the head coach Anil Kumble pointed out that the agenda is to keep Pandya in the mix of things. They do not want him to get rusty and miss out on his form. In an exclusive conversation, Kumble praised the all-round ability of the youngster.

At the pre-match media interaction, the Indian coach said, “We certainly want to keep Hardik in the mix because he is someone who has the ability to become a good all-rounder even in the longer format. That is one of the reasons we have pushed Hardik (into Test squad). It is very rare when someone can run in and bowl close to 140 (kmph) and bat in the middle order, lower middle order. That is the abilty that Hardik brings in.”

He further added that the management is aware of the fact that he has not been tested in longest format but the team has faith in Hardik. This is the sole reason why he continues to be in the squad for the Test matches too.

“Yes he is not really tested in the longer format but we certainly believe that if he is part of the mix and whenever the opportunity comes if we try him out, then in the future, when we travel outside India, he is someone you look at. So it is important to keep players with that ability to be in the mix. That is one of the reasons he is in the squad,” Kumble said.