5 reasons why Hardik Pandya should bat at No. 6 in Tests

The emergence of a fast-bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya has been a great blessing to Indian cricket. So astounding and eye-catching were his performances in limited overs cricket that he was called up to the Test team for the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Pandya made a decent debut, scoring an attacking half-century down the order and picking up a crucial wicket with the ball. But the question everyone is asking is if No. 8 is too low a position for a batsman of Pandya's calibre.

Here are 5 reasons why we think Pandya should bat at no. 6 for India in Tests.

#1 Attacking batsman down the order

The likes of Virender Sehwag have shown us the importance of playing attacking cricket even in the longest format of the game. More specifically, Pandya should look to emulate Adam Gilchrist who was an attacking batsman down the order.

The importance of this role cannot be emphasized enough in Test cricket. The opposition might, after running through the middle order, harbour thoughts of bowling out the opposition cheaply. That is until the attacker down the order begins his onslaught.

Pandya can take on that role from the No. 6 position and get some quick runs to take the game away from the opposition.

#2 Should not be wasted at no. 8

Pandya is too good a batsman to be wasted down the order

Granted that Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha have done very well with the bat so far, but no. 8 is too low a position for a genuine all-rounder like Hardik Pandya. He bats way up the order in limited overs cricket, often used as a floater.

The problem with him batting so low down the order is that he is bound to run out of partners. At no. 6, however, he will get the required amount of time to play himself in and then get going.

Even though big-hitting remains his USP, Pandya does not need to go berserk right from the get-go if he is batting at no. 6. Instead, he can mix caution with aggression to score big runs for the team.

#3 Can shepherd the tail

Pandya has the ability to score quick runs whilst batting with the tail

If Pandya gets to bat at no. 6, he can take up more responsibility and help shepherd the lower order. India bat deep with Ashwin, Saha and Jadeja in the mix but they often need a calm head at the other end around whom they can build their innings.

With Pandya batting at no. 6, he can play the role of someone like VVS Laxman who, over the years, offered support to India’s lower order and tail. Pandya is obviously not the kind of batsman who will hang around but he can prove to be vital whilst batting with the lower order.

Playing yourself in, rotating the strike, and finally launching an all-out assault are crucial components of batting with the tail. Pandya is someone who can perfect this art if he is provided with the opportunity.

#4 His batting takes precedence over his bowling

Pandya is considered a batting all-rounder

With bits-and-pieces cricketers emerging on the scene due to the advent of T20 cricket, the question remains whether they are better with the bat or the ball. A crucial 30 might be good enough in T20s but the story changes completely when you move to Test cricket.

What is heartening to see, however, is the fact that many cricketers like Pandya are making a successful transition to the longest format of the game. If Pandya’s batting and bowling abilities are evaluated, it is clear that he is more of a batting all-rounder.

The fact that he can bowl medium fast is obviously what works in his favour since India have always been short of genuine fast-bowling all-rounders. But on subcontinent pitches in Test cricket, Pandya will always be the third seaming option.

Since he is in the team to mainly strengthen the batting he must be allowed to do more with the bat. It thus becomes crucial to give him an opportunity at no. 6.

#5 The numbers do not lie

Pandya has been sensational in ODIs for India

Many sportspersons often become victims of perception. When you think of Hardik Pandya, you might believe that he is good enough to score only fast 20s and 30s. But think again.

In his short ODI career for India so far, Pandya has piled on the runs at a rapid pace. He has scored 289 runs from 17 ODIs at an average of 41.28! When you consider the fact that he bats lower down the order and scores at a strike-rate of 135.04, those numbers tell a serious story.

And he is never short on confidence either, something we witnessed in his brilliant counter-attacking knock against Pakistan in the final of the Champions Trophy.

Pandya definitely deserves more time at no. 6 in Tests. You never know, he might end up being special.