Former Australian legspinner Shane Warne is in awe of India's Hardik Pandya, especially after his heroics against Australia in the recently concluded limited-overs series. Though he was surprised that Pandya will not be part of India's squad for the upcoming test series against Australia.

Warne has actually gone on to speak about more than his cricketing skills and appreciated the 'swagger' that he brings onto the cricket field. Pandya also features in the list of his top three cricketers on the planet.

Shane Warne said in an exclusive interview with Sports Tak, "I will love to have Hardik Pandya in the Test side. It's a bit of a surprise. I love him. I have said weeks ago that he is one of my top three players on the planet. I love him. He is awesome and he certainly did what he did in the T20Is and one-dayers. Now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and saying 'how good is Hardik Pandya'."

Pandya had an awesome limited-overs series as apart from knocks of 90 and 92 in the ODIs, he smashed a quickfire unbeaten 42 in the 2nd T20I to help India chase down a 195-run target and taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series. He was named the Player of the Series in T20Is.

"I would love to see him on the Test team, he is in such great form. With the loss of Virat Kohli, he brings a lot of things on the table, batting, and maybe few overs of bowling. I think he helps the Indian team walk a bit taller," he added.

AUS v IND 2020-21: "Hardik Pandya will be crucial to Test team when he bowls," says Virender Sehwag

The 51-year-old opines that Hardik should bat at No.6 or No. 7 along with Rishabh Pant in the longest format of the game and provide a lot of depth to the side.

"You think he has just come off a beach in Antigua. He is cool. I want him to bat at 6 or at 7 after Rishabh Pant at 6. Hopefully, he will be back in the Test squad when he is back bowling full time. India has got so much depth that it's going to be a good side," he concluded.

(With inputs from Sports Tak)