According to Craig McMillan, head coach of the New Zealand women’s team, India is lacking a player like Hardik Pandya in Test cricket, particularly when playing abroad. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur were India’s seam-bowling all-rounders in the just finished Test series against England. But neither of them was able to leave a mark.
Since August 2018, Hardik has not participated in Test cricket. The 31-year-old took 17 wickets at 31.06 and amassed 532 runs at an average of 31.29 in 11 Test matches.
According to McMillan, India lacks a seam-bowling all-rounder who can succeed in foreign environments, but they do have spin-bowling all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja to aid them in Asian conditions.
A player who can bowl at a medium pace and bat lower in the order, like Hardik Pandya, is what India is lacking in this area.
“You need a spin-bowling all-rounder like Jadeja, Washington, or R Ashwin in Asian conditions.” You need a fast bowling all-rounder in England, Australia, and New Zealand. Ben Stokes is a two-pronged player for England, McMillan told the Times of India.
Shubman Gill appears to be a capable captain: McMillan
Shubman Gill, India’s new Test captain, performed admirably on the England tour, according to McMillan. Gill did make some blunders, though, which is to be expected in someone’s debut series as captain, according to the former New Zealand all-rounder. McMillan is optimistic that the 25-year-old will gain knowledge and experience, nevertheless.
He appears to be a capable skipper. The initial series is really difficult. He most likely made a few blunders in a series that was so heavily pressure-cooked. However, those are to be expected from his debut series. Experience will make him better. India will invest in him because he is the future. He will learn about his team’s style of play and game, which is something I believe is really important,” he continued.
A somewhat inexperienced Indian team led by Gill was able to draw the series 2-2 with the Three Lions.