5 reasons why Hardik Pandya does not deserve a Test spot

#3 Many more deserving players still waiting in the wings

Rishi Dhawan is one of the best all-rounders in India’s first-class structure

The selection of Hardik Pandya is even more baffling owing to the fact that there are a number of consistent domestic performers who have been overlooked in the process. Perhaps the most prominent name among the ones who missed out is Himachal Pradesh all-rounder Rishi Dhawan.

Dhawan has easily been the finest seam-bowling all-rounder in the Indian domestic arena with a batting average of over 40 and more than 200 wickets in 55 first-class matches. Although he was handed a few chances in the limited-overs arena, the selectors would have been better off trying the 26-year old in the longer format.

Even Pandya’s Baroda team-mate Irfan Pathan could have been a better bet in Test cricket in terms of being a seam-bowling all-rounder. However, the selectors seemed to reckon that the Mumbai Indians player was the best fit for the role.