Won’t play in WTC final as it won’t be ethical on my part – Hardik Pandya

India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya has confirmed he wouldn’t play in the WTC final against Australia as it won’t be ethical on his part. Pandya hasn’t played Test cricket for a long time and he last played in the whites back in 2018 against England at the Rose Bowl, Southampton.

Thus, it has been five years since Pandya has played in the longest format of the game at the top level. In fact, Pandya had earlier stated that he wants to focus more on the limited-overs format and his body isn’t ready for the adversities of Test cricket after he suffered a serious back injury.

As Pandya hasn’t played any Test cricket in the last five years, he feels it wouldn’t be fair to his teammates if he makes himself available for the big clash.

“No. I am an ethically very strong person. I haven’t done 10% to reach there. I am not even a part of 1%. So me coming there and taking someone’s place will ethically not go well. If I want to play Test cricket, I’ll go through the grind and earn my spot. Hence, for that reason I will not be available for the WTC final or future test series until I feel that I have earned my spot,” said Hardik in the pre-match press conference ahead of the 1st ODI vs Australia.

There is no doubt that Pandya would have added value to the Indian team as a seam-bowling all-rounder in the English conditions.

Pandya has played 11 Test matches in which he has scored 532 runs at an average of 31.29 and he has also scalped 17 wickets. The all-rounder will lead India for the first time in an ODI against Australia in the absence of full-time skipper Rohit Sharma, who will miss out due to personal reasons.

Pandya also revealed Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill will open the innings in the first game against Australia. The first ODI will be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.