Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has expressed that India should not count out Hardik Pandya. He believes that the allrounder can make a comeback to India’s T20I squad.
Hardik Pandya was part of India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign. However, he could not make much of an impact in the tournament. The all-rounder’s career has been ridden with injuries that have hampered his bowling. Hardik played the world cup opener against Pakistan as a batter but resumed bowling in the next few matches. However, he did not look in the best of rhythms. Hardik was dropped from India’s T20I squad for the series against New Zealand.
In an interview with India Today, Gautam Gambhir expressed that if Hardik manages to keep himself fit, bowls regularly, and comes back to form, he should get a chance in the Indian team. The former cricketer said:
“You want to find a No.6 in one day. Nor will you find a replacement for it. And you cannot count out Hardik Pandya as well. People have already started writing him off, but if he keeps himself fit, does regular bowling, comes back to form, he should definitely get a chance, he is still young. But with that, if you give other players a chance as well, and give them a longer rope, only then will you understand their capability.”
Players must be trusted for a longer period: Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir further added that chopping and changing the playing XI won’t help India to build the perfect team. He said, that a player needs to be given a longer rope, to understand the capabilities. Gambhir said,
“If you keep changing players after every series you won’t be able to find your best XI. There is a replacement for every player in this country, given the amount of cricket we play in India, no one is invincible or indispensable. But players must be trusted with the role for a longer period to understand their capabilities.”
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