On the eve of leading India for the first time in an ODI against Australia, Hardik Pandya was asked whether he would consider playing for India in the WTC championship final against Australia at The Oval in June, his reply was an emphatic no.
The all-arounder believes it would not be "ethical" for him to replace someone at this time in Tests. The 29-year- old would have given India's bowling and batting some much-needed depth and muscle, but it's obvious that Pandya has set himself a long-term goal for his Test comeback.
“No. I am an ethically and 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 don’t feel that I have earned my spot,” Pandya stressed.
He admitted that middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer’s recurring back injury was a deep concern for India a few months ahead of the ODI World Cup, and spelled out that India would need to “find solutions if he isn’t around. ”
"(Iyer's return) has no deadline. We can only wish him a swift recovery and hope for the best. I have experienced the possibility that my back might be an issue. While his absence will be felt, we must find alternatives. Naturally, he is welcome if he is. There is plenty of time to consider how we can move forward, according to Pandya.
