Hardik Pandya’s far away from getting into the red-ball circuit – Wasim Jaffer

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has opined that Hardik Pandya is far away from getting into the red-ball circuit. Pandya had played his last Test match against England back in 2018 and since then he hasn’t been a part of India’s Test squad.

The all-rounder had recently made a comeback to action in the Tata IPL 2022 as he led Gujarat Titans to glory. Pandya did prove his bowling fitness but he didn’t bowl in all the matches to manage his workload. In fact, Pandya had earlier revealed that his body might not be ready for the adversities of Test cricket and he wants to give his best to the team in the limited-overs format.

Pandya had undergone back surgery in 2019 and since then he hasn’t bowled consistently, even in the white-ball formats.

Jaffer said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo: “Hardik bowling 15 to 18 overs a day, you don’t see that happening [due to] the kind of back-surgery he had. Will he bat at four or five? I don’t see that happening in red-ball cricket.

“So in that sense, he’s far away from getting into the red-ball circuit. So I think if we just leave him bowling four overs or at max 10 overs in One-Dayers and batting at four, five, or six, it will help him prolong his career.”

On the other hand, former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn was asked how India can choose the right leader in reference to Rishabh Pant. Steyn said the team can use someone like Paddy Upton as the team catalyst as he had performed the same role for Rajasthan Royals. Steyn added Hardik Pandya is relishing the role of captaincy as he is enjoying it and delivering the goods.

“Some teams don’t have them but a lot of teams will have someone like a Paddy Upton who will work with players and be able to go to the management and say, “I think this player relishes being a captain”.

“You look at Hardik, and it feels like the moment he’s given a little bit of responsibility of captaincy, you see the best out of him. You know, all of a sudden this guy is just a completely different player… The ‘catalysts’, this is where they make their money!”

Hardik Pandya had done a fine job for Gujarat Titans and he will look to continue the same. Wasim Jaffer added that Team India will continue to find leaders like Hardik Pandya because of the IPL.

Pandya will lead India in the two-match T20I series against Ireland.