Hardik Pandya hasn’t played Test cricket for India since August 2018.
In fact, Rohit along with senior batter Virat Kohli is yet to play a T20I since India's exit from the T20 World Cup last year.
Recently, former India head coach Ravi Shastri called for Hardik to take over captaincy in white-ball cricket post the 2023 World Cup, citing that the all-rounder is unlikely to play Test cricket again considering his injury-prone body.
While Hardik made a successful comeback to limited-overs cricket after going through a back surgery in 2019, he hasn’t played a Test for India since August 2018.
"Let's be clear. His body (Hardik) cannot cope with Test cricket. After the World Cup, I feel he should take over captaincy in white-ball cricket. Rohit should lead India in the World Cup, no question there," Shastri stated.
However, legendary India all-rounder Kapil Dev doesn’t agree with Shastri, insisting that Hardik is more than capable of regaining fitness prior to his injury and gave an example of Australian great Dennis Lillee.
“I respect his [Shastri’s] statement, but why? Nobody has had more breakdowns than Dennis Lillee. So I don’t believe that. Human body can come back from any corner, come back into top condition. If you say Hardik Pandya - who is such a great athlete, looks so good - has to work hard on his body, he has to work hard. His body can’t take it?" Kapil said during an interview with The Week.
“I can understand if that big West Indian off-spinner’s [Rahkeem Cornwall] body can’t take it. But, over a period of time, his body can also do it if he starts working towards it,” he further added.
Hardik Pandya is currently touring West Indies with the Indian team for eight white-ball games. In fact, he led the side in the second ODI in Barbados as regular skipper Rohit Sharma decided to rest for the game to provide an opportunity for youngsters.