“Nitish Kumar is not bowling that much” - Former CSK batter urges Hardik Pandya to return to Tests

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Robin Uthappa has urged star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya to make a comeback to Test cricket. The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that the all-rounder can bowl 12-15 overs in each innings of a Test match. The 40-year-old wants Pandya to make the most of his form and fitness, adding that nobody would stop him if he wishes to win the World Test Championship (WTC).

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Robin Uthappa said:

“If Hardik Pandya returns to the No. 7 spot in Tests, it would be wonderful. The way he’s playing. Anything can happen; it’s cricket. Never say never. If Hardik decides to play Test cricket, will BCCI ask him not to play? If he says he wants to play and wants to win the World Test Championship (WTC), I don’t think they would say no. I think they are asking him to prove his fitness. Are all-rounders bowling 20 overs? Nitish Kumar is not bowling that much. He’s bowling 12 overs. If he’s to bowl 12-15 overs per innings, I think he can do it the way he’s fit now, the way he’s bowling and batting. It’s his own decision.” “He's won multiple ICC world championships right now. He’s won the ICC trophies – the Asia Cup, the T20 World Cup. He wants to win the ICC World Test Championship also, then that’s the whole grand slam, right? Which cricketer wouldn’t want to do that for his country? He’s halfway there,” he added.

Notably, Hardik Pandya plays only white-ball cricket to manage his workload amid injury concerns. The 32-year-old played his last Test against England in 2018. Once touted as the next Kapil Dev, Pandya has represented India in 11 Tests, scoring 532 runs with the help of one century and four fifties. With the ball, he scalped 17 wickets, including a fifer.

“I can’t [find any]” – Robin Uthappa’s blunt assessment of India’s fast bowling reserves in Tests

Robin Uthappa further pointed out that Team India lacks fast bowling reserves in Tests, saying that they are entirely reliant on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The former India opener added that Akash Deep only proves fruitful in SENA countries, while Prasidh Krishna is too expensive with the ball.

Speaking in the same video, Uthappa said:

“For me, right now it’s Siraj and Bumrah, but after that I can’t [find any].”

He continued:

“[When asked about Prasidh Krishna] I can’t say that… Like Prasidh has done well in patches, but that confidence doesn’t augur. I like him a lot, he’s a great guy, hard-working cricketer, great work ethic, but that effectiveness that is there in Test cricket is what you want. Maybe I am old school, I don’t know. Nowadays, economy rate is not a factor in Test cricket. People are okay going for 5-7 runs an over in the pursuit of trying to take wickets, given the way cricket is played… There’s room for improvement in Prasidh. “[When asked about Akash Deep] Certainly, Akash Deep has got utility outside of India. I think England, South Africa, and Australia [is where] he’ll be really good. I think we’re missing someone like Umesh Yadav, bowlers who are able to skid the ball on Indian wickets. So, on slow tracks, you need someone like that,” Uthappa added.

Akash Deep has picked up 10 wickets in five home Tests. In away games, he has 18 scalps in five Tests, including 6/99 against England in 2025. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna has bagged 22 wickets in six Tests at an economy rate of 4.72. He hasn’t played a single home Test.

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Edited by James Kuanal