Australian cricketing great Shane Watson has expressed his support for Hardik Pandya’s return to Test matches. Watson believes that the Indian all-rounder’s hard-hitting nature and vast experience can benefit the national side in the game’s longer format. Despite playing in the Test match against England in Southampton last September, the 29-year-old has recently suffered from a series of injuries that have prevented him from participating in the most extended format of the game. Consequently, he has stuck to playing just the limited-overs formats.
Speaking to Hindustan Times during the Legends League Cricket 2023 in Doha, Shane Watson commented on Pandya’s batting technique, noting its compact nature and potential to impact Test cricket: “If his body can handle the rigors of Test cricket, then absolutely. He has got a very very sound batting technique. Yes, he is a power-hitter of the ball but everyone has seen him move up the batting order in T20 cricket, batting at No.4 for Gujarat Lions. Even in ODIs, he is not just a power-hitter. So from just batting perspective, he has got the game to perform in Test cricket.”
“Bowling wise, if he is fit he charges in and he has got great skill. He can swing the brand new ball away and he would provide a huge impact for the Indian Test team. For me it eventually comes down to his body and whether it can handle the rigours of playing Test cricket as a fast-bowling all-rounder.” He further stated.
The Gujarat Titans skipper has impressive stats in Test cricket, with a batting average of 31.29 and a bowling average of 31.05.
The critical thing about KL Rahul is to allow himself to take chances and risks in the game – Watson
Reflecting on KL Rahul’s dip in form in Test cricket and Shubman Gill replacing him for the Ahmedabad fixture against Australia, Watson stated that Rahul is pressured to hold onto his spot. He elaborated:
“The biggest thing about KL Rahul would be allowing himself the freedom just to take the game on. What Shubman Gill has done is come in and, yes he is playing on a very nice batting track as well compared to the other Test matches. But again, Gill is full of confidence and has got that real young exuberance with his aggression in taking on the game. Unfortunately for Rahul, because he is concerned about his spot, he doesn’t have that full freedom and fluency to make use of the skill that he has got.”
