Fast bowling All-rounders India tried before Hardik Pandya

India's long-standing search for a fast bowling all-rounder ended successfully with Hardik Pandya. Pandya has provided tremendous flexibility to the Indian side across all formats. While he has been an effective lower-order batsman and played some match-winning innings for the Indian team, he has been improving continuously as a bowler too.

Hardik Pandya's rise has come as a big relief to the selectors and fans. Fast bowling all-rounders are an important commodity especially playing in overseas conditions and the Indian team has paid a heavy price for not having one.

It's not like the selectors haven't tried though. Before Pandya a barrage of fast bowling all-rounders have been given opportunities on the international level. Fast bowling all-rounders in India have always created a lot of excitement among the fans but unfortunately for some reasons they haven't been able to live up to the high expectations. We will look at 5 all-rounders India tried before Hardik Pandya.

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#5 JP Yadav

JP Yadav played most of his match under Rahul Dravid in 2005

JP Yadav was known for his consistent medium pace bowling and his ability to tonk the ball with bat in hand. JP Yadav broke into the Indian side after impressive performances in domestic cricket for Railways. After a disappointing debut series against West Indies in 2002 Yadav made a comeback to the Indian side in the Greg Chappell era in 2005.

India persisted with Yadav for a few series but unfortunately he couldn't perform upto the expectations and was eventually dropped from the side. Yadav couldn't make another comeback into the side and ended up playing just 12 ODIs for India.

#4 Joginder Sharma

World T20 final was Sharma's last match for India

Joginder Sharma will be etched in every Indian's memory for bowling the famous last over in the World T20 final against Pakistan in 2007. Hence, it remains a massive shock to people when they realize that the final was indeed his last appearance in Indian colours.

He made his ODI debut in 2004 against Bangladesh. Even though he was dropped after the series, he continued putting up good performances in the domestic circuit and was again selected in the Indian team for the home series against West Indies. Sharma made 35 runs and took a single wicket in the four matches that he played for India.

He played 5 seasons of IPL for CSK, without setting the world alight with his performances.

#3 Rishi Dhawan

Rishi Dhawan couldn't repeat his domestic form for India

Rishi Dhawan shot into prominence with some special performances for his state team Himachal Pradesh. He also performed decently in the IPL. Rishi was subsequently selected in the India A side. After a good show for India A, Dhawan earned a place in the Indian team for the ODI series against Australia in Australia.

Unfortunately, Dhawan had a forgetful series and looked completely out of sorts. He scored a meagre 12 runs and took just one wicket in the three matches that he played in the series. Dhawan was thus dropped from the side and hasn't been able to make a comeback since.

#2 Stuart Binny

Binny has the best bowling figures in ODIs for India to his name

One player who has been given a long run as an all-rounder in Team India has been Stuart Binny. Son of former India player Roger Binny, Stuart was given an opportunity to prove his worth on the international level after some fine performances in domestic cricket and IPL. Binny was included in the Indian Test team.

Even though Binny showed flashes of brilliance, he could never cement a place in the side because of his inconsistency. After being given ample chances, Binny was eventually dropped from the side. Binny has played 6 Tests and 14 ODIs so far and with age not on his side, it's highly unlikely that he will add to that tally.

#1 Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan made many comebacks to the Indian side without much success

Irfan Pathan took the World by storm by some unbelievable bowling performances. At a young age Irfan earned a name for himself in World Cricket because of his swing bowling. He performed exceedingly well in the first couple of seasons in World Cricket and destroyed a lot of batting attacks.

Irfan also showed promise with the bat and was often used at number 3 by the team management. He was considered to be 'the next Kapil Dev'. However, with time Irfan lost his swing and pace and eventually lost his place in the side. The all-rounder did made a few comebacks in the side but looked a pale shadow of his previous self.