Former cricket star Sunil Gavaskar has asserted that finding a direct replacement for Hardik Pandya is an uphill task for the Indian team. Instead of spending endless effort in searching for a carbon copy of his skills, the team management should focus on nurturing players who can adapt to distinct roles on the field. Gavaskar shared these insights on JioStar following the abandonment of the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru due to rain. The weather interruption meant the five-match series ended in a 2-2 deadlock.
Elaborating on his viewpoint, Gavaskar noted that the unique abilities possessed by Hardik Pandya cannot be easily replicated by anyone else. If the team fails to find a player matching that specific caliber, the pragmatic approach is to move forward with someone who can shoulder a slightly different responsibility for the squad. Discussing team balance, he emphasized that India must field at least four specialist bowlers in the playing XI. Meanwhile, the fifth and sixth bowling options should ideally come from all-rounders who can also contribute significantly with the bat, ensuring that the strength of the bowling department is never compromised merely for the sake of lengthening the batting order.
Highlighting potential candidates, Gavaskar pointed toward Naman Dhir as a prime example of a cricketer capable of fulfilling multiple roles with both bat and ball. He praised Dhir's performance in the rain-truncated final match, where the youngster unleashed an explosive unbeaten knock of 24 runs from just six deliveries during a game that was restricted to only 7.4 overs. Gavaskar remarked that Dhir is executing this dual role effectively by bowling his quota of overs efficiently and delivering crucial runs when needed.
Warning against over-experimentation, Gavaskar cautioned that stretching the batting lineup down to the eighth position can inadvertently weaken India's bowling attack. He explained that trying to pack the lower-middle order with batters often leaves the bowling department thin, which eventually leads to defeats. He also cited Axar Patel as a balanced option who can complete his full quota of four overs while providing stability with the bat.
Expressing disappointment over the washout of the series decider, Gavaskar mentioned that it deprived the team management of an opportunity to test the Indian bowlers in a shortened game format. He noted that it would have been fascinating to observe how the bowling unit performed under the pressure of a reduced-over contest.
Touching upon the spin department, Gavaskar underlined the necessity of identifying quality spin options and backing them consistently. Even if certain spinners do not make it to the starting lineup for every single match, their inclusion in the broader squad framework remains vital. He emphasized that communicating this support is particularly crucial for spin bowlers in shorter formats, as their confidence can fluctuate rapidly. During the same series, former opening batsman Aakash Chopra had also observed that Abhishek Sharma's performances fell slightly short of his usual high standards.
