Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has picked two cricketers who can replace out-of-form all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE and Oman.
Hardik has been India’s go-to pace-bowling all-rounder. Though Vijay Shankar and Shivam Dube have been tried a few times, none of them have been able to create the sort of impact Hardik did in the past. However, Hardik Pandya’s current form has once again put the all-rounder spot open.
Suggesting an internal solution for the situation, Gavaskar has picked Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the two players who can be tested in the all-rounder’s role in place of Hardik Pandya.
“Of course, there is back-up. You recently saw Deepak Chahar; he proved that he can be an all-rounder. You did not give Bhuvneshwar Kumar that opportunity. Two-three years ago, when India played in Sri Lanka, then he along with Dhoni, had won India a match. The scenario in that match was similar to the second ODI. They had lost 7-8 wickets and Bhuvneshwar and Dhoni had won that match for India,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
Many players deserved more chances: Sunil Gavaskar
Speaking further, Sunil Gavaskar stressed that there are a few players who deserved more opportunities in the all-rounder’s role but weren’t given. Such decisions, according to the Indian cricket great, have led to the situation India are in today.
“You never even thought, but these two players could be all-rounders too. He has that batting talent. You’re only looking at one person. What has happened in the last 2-3 years is that others who deserved a lot more opportunities, haven’t got them. And that is why, now today you are looking at one player and saying ‘oh he’s not in form’. If you give these guys opportunities, you can find all-rounders,” he added.
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