Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan believes India lacks a seam-bowling all-rounder like Hardik Pandya in Test cricket, particularly for overseas conditions. McMillan pointed out India's reliance on spin-bowling all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in Asian conditions, but noted the absence of a pace-bowling counterpart for tours to countries like England, Australia, and New Zealand.
He highlighted the value of Ben Stokes for England as a two-in-one player, a role Pandya could potentially fill for India. McMillan's comments come after India's recent Test series against England, where Shardul Thakur
Pandya, who hasn't played Test cricket since 2018, has a record of 532 runs and 17 wickets in 11 Tests. McMillan's assessment underscores the need for a versatile pace-bowling all-rounder in India's Test squad, especially when playing away from home.
““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,””
Leading best bowling figures performers in IPL Career (bowling specialists only: bowlers/all-rounders)
Rank | Player | Team | best-bowling-figures |
---|---|---|---|
#1 | SRH | 6/19 | |
#2 | LSG | 6/12 | |
#3 | MI | 5/36 | |
#4 | PBKS | 5/40 | |
#5 | PBKS | 5/30 |
Best run at Middle Order position in IPL 2025
Rank | Player | Team | runs |
---|---|---|---|
#1 | CSK | 3416 runs | |
#2 | CSK | 2731 runs | |
#3 | LSG | 2407 runs | |
#4 | KKR | 2114 runs | |
#5 | MI | 1564 runs |