Gautam Gambhir has criticized Indian team’s selection for not having another all-rounder in their ranks for the ODI series against Australia. Hardik Pandya is playing only as a specialist batsman and the Indian side only has 5 bowling options. As a result, Australia has pilled on the runs in the first two ODI matches against a helpless looking Indian bowling attack.
Virat Kohli doesn’t have the luxury of a batsman who can chip in with a few overs and release some pressure off the main bowlers. Gambhir tagged it as a selection error and firmly believes that team India should have had the likes of Washington Sundar or Shivam Dube in the ODI side against Australia.
Selection Error From Team India – Gautam Gambhir
“No, it doesn’t. And see if just want to make anyone bowl, you can make anyone bowl. And, probably that wasn’t the best answer either that we don’t have one. You should have a squad where you should have someone in as simple as it gets”, Gautam Gambhir told ESPNCricinfo.
”You are taking such a big squad. Yes, I can understand probably they are of the same quality. But then you have such a big squad in Australia, probably you could have someone in the squad to see how it goes,” he added.
Also Read: Michael Holding Implies India Missed MS Dhoni In The 1st ODI
”Okay, imagine! If India doesn’t win the game, they could have actually given someone like Washington Sundar or Shivam Dube, or XYZ to play the next game and see how they go in the ODI format. But if you don’t have anyone in the squad in Australia, that’s a selection error as well” . Gautam Gambhir added.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya did roll his arm over and contributed with 4 overs in the second ODI but soon went off the field. Team India is desperately looking for a part-timer until Pandya can bowl in every match. Pandya in his 4 overs spell gave away just 24 runs and picked the prized scalp of the centurion Steve Smith.
However, India failed to save the game as they fell 51 runs short in pursuit of 389 runs set by Australia on the back of strong batting performances.
Also Read: Sanjay Manjrekar Reveals His Indian Openers For The Test Series Against Australia
