Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes Hardik Pandya’s return to Test cricket could be a significant boost, not just for the Indian team, but also for the all-rounder himself. Pandya last featured in a Test match in 2018 and has since limited his appearances to white-ball formats. However, Uthappa feels the Baroda all-rounder is now fit enough to make a comeback in the longest format, especially given India’s ongoing search for a reliable pace-bowling all-rounder.
‘Never say never’: Robin Uthappa on Hardik Pandya’s Test comeback
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said it would be “wonderful” to see Pandya return as India’s number seven in Test cricket. He stressed that the decision ultimately rests with Pandya and added that the BCCI would not stand in his way if he expressed a desire to play red-ball cricket again.
“If Hardik Pandya returns to the number seven spot in Tests, it would be wonderful. The way he’s playing, anything can happen in cricket—never say never,” Uthappa said. “If Hardik decides to play Test cricket and wants to win the World Test Championship, I don’t think the BCCI will stop him. They will only ask him to prove his fitness.”
Uthappa also pointed out that current all-rounders in the Test setup are not bowling heavy workloads either, suggesting Pandya’s workload would be manageable.
“Are all-rounders bowling 20 overs? Nitish Kumar Reddy isn’t bowling that much, he’s bowling around 12 overs. If Hardik can bowl 12–15 overs per innings, I think he can do it given how fit he is right now,” he added.
Pandya’s history of injuries has been the primary reason behind his absence from Test cricket. However, India are yet to find a like-for-like replacement who can offer the same balance with both bat and ball, making his potential return a tempting option for the team management.
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