Australia vs India: Hardik Pandya added to the squad for the last two Tests

Even as Team India is going down in the Perth Test, they have got a huge boost ahead of the third Test match. The selectors have added the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to the squad for the last two Tests of the four-match series. He proved his fitness in the Ranji Trophy clash against Mumbai while playing for Baroda and the selectors have wasted no time in sending him to Australia.

“He’s (Hardik)  not available for our next game, as he’s going to Australia,” said Kedar Devdhar, Baroda skipper as quoted by the Times of India after the game ended in a draw at the Wankhede Stadium. Hardik announced himself back in the game by picking a sensational five-wicket haul and most importantly sent down as many as 28 overs in the match while also scoring a valiant half-century with the bat.

Pandya lends balance to the team

Hardik Pandya was earlier picked in India A squad for One-Dayers against New Zealand but the all-rounder opted to play in the domestic circuit in order to prove his match-fitness. Now that Hardik has been included in the Test squad, he will walk into the playing XI as the 25-year-old lends balance to the team. It also strengthens India’s batting down the order which has been brittle in this series so far.

Also, his inclusion might force Team India to play with five specialist batsmen and it will be interesting to see if Virat Kohli will take that risk given the fact that the openers aren’t contributing at all. Also, Hanuma Vihari hasn’t done anything wrong so far in the two innings as a batsman or with his part-time bowling.

The team management has got a job in its hands now ahead of the Boxing Day Test to pick the best playing XI now with Prithvi Shaw also ruled out of the series.

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