Ravichandran Ashwin has applauded Hardik Pandya’s decision to opt out of the World Test Championship final, praising Pandya for focusing on his contribution to India’s performance rather than putting himself in the team. In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted Pandya’s “proper statement” and commented on how it displays the player’s maturity.
“We have reached the WTC final, and many felt that Pandya must return to the Test side. Of course, those opinions were great since Hardik has done well in England with the limited Tests he has played there. But Hardik said that won’t do justice and, ‘I will come back when I feel it’s the right time to play Test cricket. I haven’t even played a one percent role in us qualifying for the final.'”
“This is a proper statement to the cricketing fraternity and to the entire world by Hardik Pandya. Just like how Prakash Raj says in the movie ‘Anniyan,’ “He is trying to tell something to this world,” Ashwin added.
During a recent press conference, Pandya revealed that it would be unfair for him to take the place of another player on India’s Test squad for the World Test Championship Final against Australia, as he has not seen any Test action since August 2018.
Hardik Pandya made a brave statement by acknowledging the reality
Ashwin commended Hardik for having the courage to accept that he doesn’t have the necessary qualifications to join India’s Test unit at present. In contrast to most people who would look for someone else to blame for their shortcomings, Pandya bravely owned up to his own shortcomings.
“We usually get attached to failure or success. Once we fail, we won’t accept that the reason for the failure is actually us. We tend to blame others for our failures. We believe in superstitions like a black cat came in front of me when I left and things like that. We find various reasons because, at the end of the day, we are all disappointed.
“So, we try to find these excuses to get the next day going for us. Whereas Hardik Pandya has accepted that he isn’t eligible to play Test cricket at the moment. He stressed that people who are eligible must be selected instead of him. That was a big statement coming from a player like him. Hats off to Hardik Pandya.”
Ashwin was integral in helping team India reach the final, as he took 61 wickets during the tournament.
