India's recent Test tour of England brought both encouraging signs and familiar concerns. While several young players showed flashes of promise, the absence of a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder once again came under the highlight.
It's a gap that former New Zealand cricketer Craig McMillan believes played a decisive role in the five-Test series.
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His assessment - shared with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors, highlights how overseas conditions often demand a different balance in the playing XI than what's needed at home.
Craig McMillan on India's overseas Test balance
McMillan is currently the assistant coach of the New Zealand women's team. He told The Times of India that India lacked a player in the mould of Hardik Pandya in England.
"In Asian conditions, you need a spin-bowling all-rounder like Jadeja, Washington or previously R Ashwin. In NZ, Australia and England, you need a fast-bowling all-rounder. It is where India are missing a player like Hardik Pandya who can bowl medium pace and bat lower down the order. For England, Ben Stokes is two players in one," McMillan said.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur - both tried in that role during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, struggled to make an impact. McMillan also assessed Shubman Gill's leadership in his first Test series as captain.
"He looks like a good captain. The first series is very tough. He will get better with experience. He is the future, so India will invest in him," he said.
When was the last time Hardik Pandya played a Test?
Pandya's last match in the longest format was in the 2018 England tour. A back injury forced him out of red-ball cricket and he has since focused solely on limited-overs formats.
What's next for Hardik Pandya?
After leading Mumbai Indians to the IPL 2025 playoffs earlier this year, Pandya is set to return for the T20 Asia Cup in the UAE next month. India will face the hosts in their opener on September 10 in Dubai - the same venue where they lifted the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
India's selectors now face the challenge of finding (or persuading back) the type of player McMillan describes - if they want a more balanced attack on future overseas tours.