Sehwag reckons Hardik Pandya will be 'crucial' for India in Tests, once he begins bowling

As India gear up to lock horns with Australia for Border Gavaskar Trophy in longest format of game, Men in Blue will be missing services of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been excluded for Test series. Pandya had led Indian team to a victory in T20 series and had also played a stellar kck during ODIs. Despite his form, all-rounder had been excluded from Test series due to his back injury which has restricted his bowling abilities. 

However, veteran Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag believes that Pandya will be 'crucial' in Indian Test squad once he is fit to bowl. former explosive opener heaped praise on all-rounder's quick scoring abilities and stated that India would be in a good position to win Test matches once he starts scoring fiercely at number 6 or 7. 

“If he was bowling, n he would have been a part of Test team. It is possible Hardik Pandya might have told selectors t to consider him for Test matches as he is t bowling fit and that he will only play in ODIs and T20Is and that he will join back his family,” Virender Sehwag said on Sony Sports Network. 

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“But doubt when he starts bowling, he will be a crucial part of Test team. Because manner in which he bats in ODI cricket or T20Is, imagine if he starts scoring those quick runs at .6 or .7 in Test cricket, India will be in a good position to win Test matches,” he added. 

After end of limited-overs series, Hardik Pandya had expressed that he does t mind staying back for Test series if needed. "It's a different ball game, I think I need to be, I mean I don't mind but at end of day, call is on manment. So, yeah, I don't think I can say much about it," all-rounder had said. 

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India look to snap Australia's winning streak 

odds are against India heading into Adelaide Test and y will need to play out of ir skins in order to come out on top and rewrite history. Kohli & Co. have ir task cut out come December 17 as Aussies have t lost a single D/N Test match ever since ir first contest against New Zealand back in vember 2015. top-ranked Test side have since gone on to win all five matches that have been played under lights at home. 

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However, Men in Blue will miss ir skipper Virat Kohli after first test as he is set to fly back home for birth of his first child. Melbourne Cricket Ground (26-30 December) will host Boxing Day Test, before action moves to Sydney Cricket Ground (7-11 January) and Gabba (15-19 January). As per reports, Rohit Sharma has been deemed fit and will be set to appear in last two tests.

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