India is missing Hardik Pandya in Test cricket? Here's the update
New Zealand women's team head coach Craig McMillan has weighed in on India's recent Test performances, stating that the team is clearly missing an impactful all-rounder like Hardik Pandya, especially in challenging overseas conditions. McMillan pointed out that India lacked balance in the recently concluded Test series against England, where they experimented with seam-bowling all-rounders such as Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy. However, neither player managed to leave a lasting impression with bat or ball across the five-match series, exposing a key gap in the Indian lineup. McMillan believes that a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder adds crucial depth and flexibility to a Test side, particularly on foreign soil where conditions often favor seam movement.
He noted that Hardik Pandya, despite not featuring in Test cricket since August 2018, had shown promise during his brief red-ball stint. In 11 Tests, Pandya has scored 532 runs at an average of 31.29 and taken 17 wickets at 31.06, including a memorable five-wicket haul against England at Trent Bridge in 2018. While fitness and workload concerns have kept Hardik out of the longest format, McMillan's comments reignite the conversation around India’s search for a dependable fast-bowling all-rounder who can contribute in both departments overseas.
Craig McMillan pointed out that while India have reliable spin-bowling all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who are effective in Asian conditions, they currently lack a seam-bowling all-rounder capable of making an impact in overseas Tests. He emphasized that this gap becomes especially evident on foreign pitches, where seam movement and bounce play a bigger role. According to McMillan, the absence of a fast-bowling all-rounder limits India's flexibility and depth, particularly when playing outside the subcontinent. While Jadeja and Sundar offer valuable balance at home, McMillan believes India need someone in the mould of Hardik Pandya—a pace-bowling all-rounder who can contribute significantly with both bat and ball in challenging conditions abroad.
“In Asian conditions, you need a spin-bowling all-rounder like Jadeja, Washington or previously R Ashwin. In NZ, Australia and England, you need a fast-bowling allrounder. It is where India are missing a player like Hardik Pandya who can bowl medium pace and bat lower down the order. For England, Ben Stokes is two players in one,” stated former New Zealand cricketer Craig McMillan.
Craig McMillan shared his thoughts on Shubman Gill’s debut series as India’s Test captain during the recent tour of England, stating that the young skipper did a decent job overall. The former New Zealand all-rounder acknowledged that while Gill made a few mistakes along the way, it was entirely expected given it was his first assignment as captain in the longest format.
McMillan pointed out that leadership in Test cricket, especially in overseas conditions, comes with a steep learning curve. He believes that Gill showed promise with his calm presence and tactical awareness, even if a few decisions didn’t work out as planned. At just 25 years old, McMillan sees great potential in Gill and is confident that with time and experience, he will grow into the role and become a more confident and effective leader. He stressed the importance of patience as India transitions to a new era under Gill's captaincy.
“He looks a good captain. The first series is very tough. In such a pressure-cooked series, he probably made a few mistakes. But you expect those in his first series. He will get better with experience. He is the future, so India will invest in him. He will get to know his team’s game, which I think is really important, and the style of play," McMillan added.
