Hardik Pandya rules himself out of WTC 2023 final contention

Captain Rohit Sharma spoke about the need for a fast-bowling all-rounder for India in English conditions in the World Test Championship final and talked up Shardul Thakur's potential role during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. However, India's premier pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled himself out of contention for a place in India's WTC final squad, saying he hasn't done enough to deserve a place in the Test side.

Hardik Pandya last played a Test match in England in September 2018 after which recurring back injury concerns have kept him away from the Test team. Hardik had a long injury layoff after the T20 World Cup in 2022 and returned to competitive action only in IPL 2022 wherein he led Gujarat Titans to glory in their inaugural season. Since his comeback, Hardik has taken his white-ball game to another level. He has shone in leadership roles so much so that he is being touted as India's next white-ball captain.

However, Hardik Pandya is not yet thinking of a Test comeback and doesn't want to take someone else's place in the side even in the near future.

When asked if he would make himself available for the WTC final after the IPL



2023 season, Hardik said he is an ethically strong person and his conscience doesn't allow him to think of a Test spot, at least for now.

"No. I am an ethically very strong person. I haven't done 10% to reach there. I am not even a part of 1%. So me coming there and taking someone's place will ethically not go well," Hardik said.

"If I want to play Test cricket, I will go through the grind and earn my spot. Hence, for that reason I will not be available for the WTC final or future test series until I feel that I have earned my spot," he added.

India qualified for the WTC final for the second successive time after winning the 4-match Test series against Australia 2-1 at home earlier this month. India will face Australia in the final at the Oval in London from June 7 to 11.

Hardik will lead India in the first ODI of the upcoming 3-match series against Australia in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who has opted out of the series opener due to family commitments.

Hardik has returned from a much-needed break during the Test series but the all-rounder is staring a busy schedule ahead with the IPL, starting March 31.