Former Indian selector Sarandeep Singh has spoken about Hardik Pandya’s utility as an all-rounder in all formats of the game for the Indian team. Pandya has made a comeback after recovering from a back injury. Though he can bat, he is not bowling for the team which is lessening out his chances of an international return. He was overlooked as BCCI announced the Indian squad for the World Test Championship final and the subsequent England series.

The likes of Shardul Thakur, Washinton Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are all a part of the squad. Meanwhile, Singh kept his opinion on Hardik Pandya in an interaction with PTI.

“The selectors’ decision to ignore Hardik for Tests is understandable. He has not been able bowl regularly after his surgery. I feel he has to bowl 10 overs in ODIs and four in T20s to be part of the playing XI even in shorter formats. He can’t just play as a batsman,” Sarandeep, a former India spinner, told PTI.

Singh further said that an all-rounder allows the team to play with six proper batsmen which was not the case in the recent series against Australia and England. He said to accommodate Pandya in the side, someone like Suryakumar Yadav had to sit out.

Hardik Pandya Not Bowling Disturbs The Balance Of The Side: Sarandeep Singh

“If Hardik doesn’t bowl, it disturbs the balance of the side hugely. You have to play an extra bowler because of that and someone like Surykumar Yadav has to miss out. As we saw in the ODI series against England and Australia, we can’t play with five bowling options. Then team now has other all-rounders in Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Jaddu is back, Shardul Thakur can also be an all-rounder, he has shown that. They all can do the job if Hardik can’t bowl” he said.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli also stressed on Hardik Pandya’s all-round abilities for him to make a comeback into the Indian side.

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