Can Hardik Pandya make it at the Test level?

[street cricketer]

India are at a dire need of a quality seam bowling all rounder (Stuart Binny doesn't count). A quality seam bowling AR lends great balance to the team with both bat and the ball, especially in places like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand where spin bowling all rounders are pretty much useless. Most teams have one such all rounder in their ranks - Woakes, Stokes, Marsh, Neesham, Corey Anderson, Morris, etc.

Pandya has been more of a bish basher at T20 level and has just made a debut in ODIs. But do you think he has it in him to make it as a seam bowling all rounder at Test level and be the much needed player for India especially in overseas?

Or are there any other better prospects at Ranji?

 

[Hasan123]

In odis his batting will be of use to India and in tests his bowling will be of use. If he can become patient in his batting and be more controlling with the ball yes he can make it at test level.

 

[Slog]

No chance

(Based on what I saw in Asia cup and world t20)

I don't think his batting is developed to a level to be of use in India

And his bowling will get smashed abroad esp in Aus

 

[Zahid87]

No. His batting is not test level. He was found as a T20 player - produced by the IPL.

His bowling is useful, but in test matches in India, it will be next to useless - simply because of the pitches. On his bowling, does he even have it in him to bowl to a test match line and length, as opposed to a limited overs plan, where strategy is based around limiting scoring?

I guess he can be developed, given time, but not even sure thats what he wants to do. He seems happy to be an IPL/Limited Overs specialist.

 

[OS_89]

Nope. Bits and pieces player who might do well in ODIs. Not good enough for tests based on what we have seen so far.

 

[Napa]

India are at a dire need of a quality seam bowling all rounder (Stuart Binny doesn't count). A quality seam bowling AR lends great balance to the team with both bat and the ball, especially in places like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand where spin bowling all rounders are pretty much useless. Most teams have one such all rounder in their ranks - Woakes, Stokes, Marsh, Neesham, Corey Anderson, Morris, etc.

Pandya has been more of a bish basher at T20 level and has just made a debut in ODIs. But do you think he has it in him to make it as a seam bowling all rounder at Test level and be the much needed player for India especially in overseas?

Or are there any other better prospects at Ranji?

He was bowling at at an average of around 140 kph and making the ball swing. That makes him a wicket taking threat in Tests. The best thing about him is his personality, you can see he is a competitor.

If he becomes a good Test player, it is good for the country. If he remains a T20 or ODI specialist, he will still have a good life with the million dollars IPL contracts.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

No. Binny is a better test batsman than pandya. Let him establish himself as a regular LOI cricketer first.

 

[The King of Kings]

don't think he will survive. Looks too weak

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

Let him establish himself in the shorter formats first.

Can continue to play FC cricket and A tours for a couple of years. Is quite young and with experience can become a handy enough AR, more of a bowling all rounder though. Needs to play more FC cricket.

 

[Saurav]

Yes.but in future

 

[Finisher]

Bowls too many short and wide deliveries.

Like Yasir Arafat and Bilawal Bhatti.

 

[Hamza_]

Bits n pieces player

 

[troodon]

No.

He is a dud with the bat and a mediocre with the ball.

Unless he improves massively with both bat and ball, he is not worth a spot in both ODI and T20 teams.

 

[hadi123]

I'm Pakistani and don't rate him at all,

 

[Zohaib Shah]

Seems like he gets most of his wickets by luck.

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

No.

He is a dud with the bat and a mediocre with the ball.

Unless he improves massively with both bat and ball, he is not worth a spot in both ODI and T20 teams.

Dud with the bat? A 79 in his last FC match for India A and some wickets shows he's improving , will keep getting better

 

[JattMaula]

He needs to improve his batting by several levels to be in Indian test team. But being around Rahane, Kohli will not hurt his development

 

[street cricketer]

He won't be useful in India. But in places like England and New Zealand, his bowling may be useful I think. We can play the following line up in England or New Zealand, or even South Africa.

Vijay
Rahul
Pujara
Kohli (c)
Rahane
Ashwin
Saha (wk)
Pandya
Bhuvi
Shami
Ishant

But needs to improve his batting though. Looked very good in his innings of 79 against Aus A but was poor in other innings.

 

[troodon]

Dud with the bat? A 79 in his last FC match for India A and some wickets shows he's improving , will keep getting better

He is dodgy against pace bowling. Gets cleaned up if he plays more than 4 consecutive deliveries from a pacer owling over 140k.

He is a basher of mediocre spinners.

His bowling is nothing special. Just a poor man's Robin Singh at this point of his career. Of course he can improve. We will have to wait and see.

 

[Ab Fan]

I'm Pakistani and don't rate him at all,

LOL.. What has that to do with nationality?

Many Indians won't rate him either.

 

[Ab Fan]

He won't be useful in India. But in places like England and New Zealand, his bowling may be useful I think. We can play the following line up in England or New Zealand, or even South Africa.

Vijay
Rahul
Pujara
Kohli (c)
Rahane
Ashwin
Saha (wk)
Pandya
Bhuvi
Shami
Ishant

But needs to improve his batting though. Looked very good in his innings of 79 against Aus A but was poor in other innings.

Any Tom Dick and Harry can replace Rohit in tests..

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Of course he can. Real quality batsman and good enough 5th bowler.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He won't be useful in India. But in places like England and New Zealand, his bowling may be useful I think. We can play the following line up in England or New Zealand, or even South Africa.

Vijay
Rahul
Pujara
Kohli (c)
Rahane
Ashwin
Saha (wk)
Pandya
Bhuvi
Shami
Ishant

But needs to improve his batting though. Looked very good in his innings of 79 against Aus A but was poor in other innings.

He's a much better batsman than Ashwin and Saha. Silly to have them bat above him.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Play him at 5 in ODIs and 6 in tests.

 

[JattMaula]

Play him at 5 in ODIs and 6 in tests.

Not good enough to be a test middle order batsman. And if he develops decent defensive technique by some miracle then he can replace Ashwin at 6. He can bat in any position below Kohli in LOI's though.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

He is not a complete player yet. Too rough, there is potential definitely.

Look, he can strike cleanly, he can bowl at 140Ks. So there is the raw product, whether he becomes a dependable bat and a bowler who can consistently pick wickets will decide how soon he breaks into test team.

At least for the next 6-8 months he should focus on LOI's as India wont need him anyway in home tests. We'll be needing a serious pace all-rounder by end of 2017 when our overseas tours begin. Till then he and few other all rounders should be picked and tried out in A-tours away.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Not good enough to be a test middle order batsman. And if he develops decent defensive technique by some miracle then he can replace Ashwin at 6. He can bat in any position below Kohli in LOI's though.

If he wasn't capable, I wouldn't have suggested as such.

 

[street cricketer]

He's a much better batsman than Ashwin and Saha. Silly to have them bat above him.

He needs to make a case for his batting in ODIs first. His FC average isn't all that.

 

[JaDed]

His bowling look improved in the previous match but one can never be sure because he was cocky enough in the after presentation about the same.

 

[JattMaula]

His bowling look improved in the previous match but one can never be sure because he was cocky enough in the after presentation about the same.

Cocky is his personality and it's fine as long as he works hard and gives 100% in field.

I see lot of polarized opinion about his behavior in future

 

[Napa]

Any Tom Dick and Harry can replace Rohit in tests..

Easy now! He played a knock of 82 that took the game out of NZ's reach and averaged 67.5 for the series. Not bad I say.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

His bowling look improved in the previous match but one can never be sure because he was cocky enough in the after presentation about the same.

What happened?

I never liked his lulloo personality.

He doesn't know the meaning of "apne aukaat pe rehna chahiye".

Hate it when dumb people try to ape others.

Let's see if he changes.

 

[JaDed]

Cocky is his personality and it's fine as long as he works hard and gives 100% in field.

I see lot of polarized opinion about his behavior in future

What happened?

I never liked his lulloo personality.

He doesn't know the meaning of "apne aukaat pe rehna chahiye".

Hate it when dumb people try to ape others.

Let's see if he changes.

Nothing big the usual I-I-I just makes himself sound cocky but tbh he did improve his speed so we should cut him some slack.

Was reading about him apparently Irfan Pathan is his idol and mentor considering the Baroda connection he just might end up playing test cricket and swinging it for us.

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/6ZLxGvWBuzWzCzU28BcSOK/Will-Hardik-Pandya-now-spearhead-Indias-ODI-bowling-attack.html

 

[street cricketer]

His bowling look improved in the previous match but one can never be sure because he was cocky enough in the after presentation about the same.

Nothing wrong in having a bit of attitude. Having an attitude or ego isn't always detrimental. Kohli and Ashwin have an attitude but that helps them in their game. Having an ego or attitude makes you not accept failure easily and gives you a competitive attitude and a drive to succeed. Ponting had a huge attitude and that made him the player he was more than anything else.

Anyway Pandya is miles away from the players mentioned above but having an attitude shows atleast he takes his game seriously and it may help him in the long run. Compare that to Mishra who gets deflated as soon as he gets hit for a few boundaries.

 

[JaDed]

Nothing wrong in having a bit of attitude. Having an attitude or ego isn't always detrimental. Kohli and Ashwin have an attitude but that helps them in their game. Having an ego or attitude makes you not accept failure easily and gives you a competitive attitude and a drive to succeed. Ponting had a huge attitude and that made him the player he was more than anything else.

Anyway Pandya is miles away from the players mentioned above but having an attitude shows atleast he takes his game seriously and it may help him in the long run. Compare that to Mishra who gets deflated as soon as he gets hit for a few boundaries.

Agree but Pandya's attitude comes across more like :ahmed than Kohli or Ponting but its still early I might be wrong about him.

 

[JattMaula]

Agree but Pandya's attitude comes across more like :ahmed than Kohli or Ponting but its still early I might be wrong about him.

What's wrong with :ahmed attitude? If he had worked hard, he would be regular in Pak team.

 

[street cricketer]

Agree but Pandya's attitude comes across more like :ahmed than Kohli or Ponting but its still early I might be wrong about him.

As long as he refrains from taking selfies..

 

[JaDed]

What's wrong with :ahmed attitude? If he had worked hard, he would be regular in Pak team.

He believed he achieved everything which lead to his downfall,Pandya is still not in the same bracket but problem with IPL superstars is that they have a smaller goal,Ash is an exception realized the importance of tests and making a mark in INTL cricket - Samson,Pathans bros,Bhatias,Tiwaris all fall in the smaller goal category.

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

What happened?

I never liked his lulloo personality.

He doesn't know the meaning of "apne aukaat pe rehna chahiye".

Hate it when dumb people try to ape others.

Let's see if he changes.

He has always been like that even when he was a nobody and when his family struggled to make ends meet. Maybe better to accept that there will be different characters and not every cricketer will be a well mannered politically correct individual rolled out of an assembly line.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

He has always been like that even when he was a nobody and when his family struggled to make ends meet. Maybe better to accept that there will be different characters and not every cricketer will be a well mannered politically correct individual rolled out of an assembly line.

Nothing wrong in having attitude per se but something about him puts me off.

I came across an interview of him after Bangladesh T20 (dunno where I read it) and I was a bit stunned at the way he was talking.

 

[JattMaula]

He has always been like that even when he was a nobody and when his family struggled to make ends meet. Maybe better to accept that there will be different characters and not every cricketer will be a well mannered politically correct individual rolled out of an assembly line.

We Indians like our stars to be the perfect role models

 

[Ab Fan]

Easy now! He played a knock of 82 that took the game out of NZ's reach and averaged 67.5 for the series. Not bad I say.

NZ spin resources weren't that good and I found Kohli's 45 better in that knock.

Rohit didn't found things tougher in that series at all and although it was a good series for him but still he is far from being considered a good test batsmen.

NZ series is a Ashwin/ Pujara show with Kohli, Rahane and Jadeja making significant contributions.

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

Nothing wrong in having attitude per se but something about him puts me off.

I came across an interview of him after Bangladesh T20 (dunno where I read it) and I was a bit stunned at the way he was talking.

Yaar go to local club cricket, you will see countless such young players attitudes. While some of them are fake, rest are genuinely with a raw attitude, still very hard workers. That attitude is taken as arrogance and that alone ends up destroying so many careers at junior level.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Yaar go to local club cricket, you will see countless such young players attitudes. While some of them are fake, rest are genuinely with a raw attitude, still very hard workers. That attitude is taken as arrogance and that alone ends up destroying so many careers at junior level.

I agree brother. Maybe that happens and its not right. Two wrongs don't make it right.

But with that being said, attitude and professionalism are 2 different things. A lot of times, players with great performances can have real attitudes that are just toxic in a team environment. In the corporate world too, a great performer who doesn't fit in well won't go far (usually).

While its important that we shouldn't expect everyone to be Sachin. Dravid, Laxman, Kumble....its not necessary to accept brats in the name of "expression".

I am not saying Hardik will fail due to his attitude but when someone makes claims like "I know Mushfiqur does not have the ability to tonk me for a 6" which is based on nothing but hope...and then gets promptly owned in the subsequent games by others....such players will find it hard to get respect until they walk the talk.

Take someone like Viv or Virat or even Ashwin......attitude, confidence but it feels so different. Kohli in his younger days used to swear, shout and was a bit of an "why is he so angry" kind of fellow but he knew where to draw the line.

Munaf Patel in 2011/12 was a decent performer for MI in IPL. Mind boggling attitude where he frankly looked stupid.

Is that dumbassery or freedom of expression?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

With all being said, I do wish Pandya does well.

Maybe channelize his attitude and aggression in a better manner.

 

[dani2k]

Not a fan of Gujuarati "fast bowlers" who are also meant to be "hard hitters". I say no.

Curious to know - do you know any other player of the same type ?

 

[dani2k]

On topic - India seem to have high hopes for him - that his cap was handed over by the great Kapil himself is proof to that.

Whether he fulfills them is an answer only time can provide. I do hope he does..he will solve a lot of problems plaguing our test team in particular

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

On topic - India seem to have high hopes for him - that his cap was handed over by the great Kapil himself is proof to that.

Whether he fulfills them is an answer only time can provide. I do hope he does..he will solve a lot of problems plaguing our test team in particular

Kapil is one of Hindi commentators for Star Sports covering the ODIs

Dont think much should be read into who handed the cap. He did decently on the A tour, bowled with good pace and was picked for ODI side after main bowlers were rested.

 

[dani2k]

Kapil is one of Hindi commentators for Star Sports covering the ODIs

Dont think much should be read into who handed the cap. He did decently on the A tour, bowled with good pace and was picked for ODI side after main bowlers were rested.

Point taken, but looks like the BCCI is seriously hoping that history returns - Kapil made his debut on the same day in 1978

 

[JattMaula]

Point taken, but looks like the BCCI is seriously hoping that history returns - Kapil made his debut on the same day in 1978

Which team wouldn't like their most successful ever all-rounder back?

 

[Napa]

NZ spin resources weren't that good and I found Kohli's 45 better in that knock.

Rohit didn't found things tougher in that series at all and although it was a good series for him but still he is far from being considered a good test batsmen.

NZ series is a Ashwin/ Pujara show with Kohli, Rahane and Jadeja making significant contributions.

You forgot Saha, he had a series average of 112!

 

[street cricketer]

Don't even think he needs to contribute much with the bat. 30s, 40s are enough. But will be great if he can play the role of a 4th bowler in overseas. He switched from legspin to pace bowling only 3 years back, so is a bit raw atm. He needs to work on his bowling and add the much needed balance to the team overseas. 3 genuine pacers + pure spinner + pace bowling all rounder would be a fantastic combination.

 

[JattMaula]

Don't even think he needs to contribute much with the bat. 30s, 40s are enough. But will be great if he can play the role of a 4th bowler in overseas. He switched from legspin to pace bowling only 3 years back, so is a bit raw atm. He needs to work on his bowling and add the much needed balance to the team overseas. 3 genuine pacers + pure spinner + pace bowling all rounder would be a fantastic combination.

No. He needs to contribute more than 30-40 if he wants to be an all-rounder. He needs to average above 40 at least. Bits and pieces is not the way to go in Tests.

 

[Ab Fan]

You forgot Saha, he had a series average of 112!

Yes..Man of match in 2nd test.

Actually, its a bit tougher to remember 50s and 70s. What you remember are big ones like Kohli/ Rahane scored in 3rd test. Hence, I forgot that.

 

[Napa]

Yes..Man of match in 2nd test.

Actually, its a bit tougher to remember 50s and 70s. What you remember are big ones like Kohli/ Rahane scored in 3rd test. Hence, I forgot that.

Very true. Saha is a "quiet operator", gets the job done without much fanfare

It was nice how he came back with two unbeaten half-centuries after getting a duck in the first Test.

 

[Thivagar]

Curious to know - do you know any other player of the same type ?

The word "fast" and "hard" cannot be associated with Gujus, at least not with Guju hindus.

 

[GrandMaster]

He might play Test in future if he improves. ATM he is neither a proper bowler nor a batsman.

 

[Napa]

He shouldn't play at the Test level simply because India already has the batsmen it needs for Tests like Rahane and Pujara. Save him for LOIs where he will be devastating.

 

[arehaan]

I think Indian fans would be better off not to read too much into a one off performance in a lost cause. This could again turn out to be that cursed Wahab spell scenario which has haunted us for last 5 years. People must realize he came in a situation when things were pretty much done and dusted. With no pressure and no questions he just happened to chance his arms which eventually paid off in adding respectability to Indias cause. I dont see him playing such an innings in a normal game unless its slogging time so all those advocating for him to bat higher should reserve their judgement.

 

[Khwaja]

No he can't he can make ipl though

 

[Suleiman]

Don't know about workload actually.

Think he'll have to choose b/w IPL or tests. A lot like Russell. That kind of physical demand, bowling and batting, in all 3 formats year round and then in a mickey mouse league can take its toll. Just look at Stokes, think in the last year he has gone through a lot, IIRC didn't even play vs us in the tests in England due to injury, and then before CT messed up his knee which is still dodgy.

Everyone's physical condition is different.

 

[Napa]

What happened?

I never liked his ****** personality.

He doesn't know the meaning of "apne aukaat pe rehna chahiye".

Hate it when dumb people try to ape others.

Let's see if he changes.

Lulo personality indeed. His aukaat is obviously something you have no clue about.

 

[TahirFan]

Pandya reminds me of Lance Klusener. Zulu was an average bowler but a decent batsmen in LOI.
Klusener was a failure as a test cricketer

I don't think Pandya will succeed as a good batsmen in test cricket

 

[omcswe]

should bat at number 5 in odis.

and should be played as a 5th bowler in indian conditions. india have such a good batting line-up but such little confidence in their batsmen.

how many batsmen does a team really need if u have kohli, pujara, rahul, rahane, saha, ashwin, jadeja etc. who all can bat with varying degrees of success.

tests need x-factor players.

just like the brief period where we played afridi in tests and he actually won us some good tests, pandya can do the same and it will help him become a better player too.

 

[Abdullah719]

Makes his Test debut today.

 

[troodon]

Pandya has it in him at Test level. He will provide the much needed balance to the team.

 

[czar]

Future Kapil Dev.

 

[Titan24]

I would like him to bat at no 7 (Below Saha) so that he can bat with bit of aggression which is is strength,

 

[aloo paratha]

Personally I don't think he'll do well with the bat, but I think his bowling can be pretty useful in all conditions.

 

[Stallion__]

He will do well both with bat and ball.

 

[Sadevdesai]

Playing a Test Match vs a T/20, is all in the mind. If one is strong minded, he can adjust easily. No way to know how Pandya has prepared himself .... let's wait and see !!!!!!!

 

[Hasan123]

He will be a brilliant player across all formats.

 

[Leo23]

what a talent

brilliant way to announce himself in the test arena

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Bits and pieces player. Ha!

The usual chumps wrong again.

One simply cannot compete with The Chief.

 

[Hasan123]

The more I have watched him the more I was convinced he will be a star. Glad to be proven right.

 

[Reddy]

It is Pandya's third Test match, he has scored 86 ball 100 while working with the tail enders, great performance for a youngster.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Well he's a brilliant start but it is going to be team's responsibility how they use him. I just hope just because he can bowl quick and also bat well at brisk pace, he isn't over-used.

India need to use him like Moeen Ali has been used by England. Bat at 7-8 (so that he isn't under pressure to always come good, which is when he will bat freely and come good more often) and also use him as 5th and not 3rd bowler.

Away he should be our 4th seamer not 3rd. Max 8-12 overs a day.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Good start to his test career but I will reserve judgement till after he tours SA, AUS & ENG

 

[Ab Fan]

So what will be India's lineup in the coming overseas tours?

Top 5
Ashwin
Saha
Pandya
Jadeja
Shami
Bhuvi/Yadav

Will all three allrounders play?

 

[CanadianG00se]

So what will be India's lineup in the coming overseas tours?

Top 5
Ashwin
Saha
Pandya
Jadeja
Shami
Bhuvi/Yadav

Will all three allrounders play?

Id go with these
W Saha (WK)
3 seamers (Yadav, BK, Shami) Ashwin/Jadeja/K Yadav
H Pandya

if our tail manages to add 100-150 runs in SA, it will be pretty handy. I think more than our batting, im more concerned about our ability to take 20 wickets on less helpful wickets.