Ind vs Aus: Virat Kohli rules Hardik Pandya out as specialist batsman for Australia tests

Ind vs Aus: All-rounder Hardik Pandya will not be considered for India`s test series against Australia starting next week despite starring with the bat in the white-ball series, captain Virat Kohli said.

Pandya was named man-of-the-series after the three Twenty20 matches and scored two half-centuries in the preceding one-day series against the hosts.

But the explosive 27-year-old only bowled a handful of overs in the second ODI as he continues building to peak fitness following back surgery last year.

Pandya was overlooked in India`s initial squad for the four-test series starting at Adelaide Oval next week, and Kohli said he would not be picked as a specialist batsman alone.

"He`s been outstanding," Kohli said after India`s 12-run defeat in the third and final T20 in Sydney on Tuesday.

"He couldn`t bowl and we knew he`s not going to bowl ... We need him to bowl. That`s when he becomes that one guy who brings a lot of balance for us.

"He himself wants to get back into the bowling space and be available as a pure all-rounder in tests, which becomes way more important.

"Over five days, you need a little extra from a player in that role. So he understands that and is working really hard to come back."

Kohli top-scored with a 61-ball 85 on Tuesday and heads into the test series in fine fettle after leading India to a 2-1 series win in the T20s following their 2-1 defeat in the one-dayers.

India will have a final warmup against Australia A at the Sydney Cricket Ground from Friday, a three-day pink ball match to prepare for the first day-night test against Australia.

Kohli said it was not decided whether he would feature in the match or take a few days` rest before Adelaide.

"If I feel great I`ll definitely play," he said.

"When I get into a good headspace, I feel like I can play and switch between formats ... I`m in the right headspace."

The story has been taken from a news agency