"Rare Qualities": Shubman Gill Hails Hardik Pandya's Invaluable Impact
India captain Shubman Gill praises Hardik Pandya's unique skills and shares updates on his return to the national side ahead of the NZ series.
Ahead of India's first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland, skipper Shubman Gill has showered praise on star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, describing him as a "great player" with a skill set that is seldom found in modern world cricket.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the series opener, Gill emphasized that Pandya's ability to contribute significantly with both the bat and the ball makes him an indispensable asset to the Indian squad.
The "Rare" Versatility of Hardik Pandya
Gill highlighted that what sets Pandya apart is his capacity to operate as a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder across all stages of an innings. According to the captain, very few players globally can handle the pressure of bowling with the new ball, maintaining control during the middle overs, and executing clinical deliveries at the death.
"Hardik is a great player, and the qualities he brings to the team are rare. Not many players in world cricket possess the ability to be a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder who can bowl in every phase of the game... On top of that, the kind of batting he brings to the team makes him extremely valuable," Gill stated.
Injury Setbacks and the Road to Recovery
Despite the high praise, there is a cloud of disappointment regarding Pandya's prolonged absence from the national side since the IPL 2026. Gill revealed that the team management has remained in constant contact with the all-rounder, but a series of unfortunate "niggles" have delayed his comeback.
Pandya's return to competitive cricket faced a significant blow in October. Although he was named in the India A squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia A in Puducherry, a shin injury forced him out of action. Medical advice mandated a 15-day rest period, further pushing back his timeline for a return.
Gill expressed his hope that Pandya will soon regain full fitness and spend some time in domestic cricket to find his rhythm before rejoining the national team.
The Balancing Act: ODIs vs. World Test Championship
Beyond the discussion on Pandya, Shubman Gill addressed the logistical challenges of managing a squad across two different formats in quick succession. With the ODI series and the upcoming Test series scheduled closely together, the Indian management has had to make tough calls on player availability.
Key Squad Rotations
- ODI Series: The five-match series begins on November 4. However, India will field a different squad for the final two matches.
- Captaincy Shift: Shubman Gill will miss the final two ODIs to prepare for the Tests, with Shreyas Iyer stepping in as captain.
- Test Series Return: Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who sat out the ODI squad, will return to lead the bowling attack for the first Test in Wellington on November 19.
Gill admitted that while he would have preferred the full World Cup probables to play all five ODIs, the World Test Championship (WTC) race has become increasingly competitive following the Australia-South Africa series. He stressed that the upcoming Tests are critical for India to strengthen its position in the WTC standings.
The captain noted that if a T20 series had been scheduled between the two assignments, it would have provided a buffer to play the full ODI squad. Instead, the tight window necessitates that Test specialists skip the end of the ODI series to focus on the longer format.