# Sunil Gavaskar says stop searching for Hardik Pandya clone, time to move forward

> Former cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar believes finding a replacement for Hardik Pandya is nearly impossible and India should instead focus on players who can fulfill different roles. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the bowling attack after the final T20I against West Indies was washed out.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-10-18 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/sunil-gavaskar-says-stop-searching-for-hardik-pandya-clone-time-to-move-forward-49131 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Sunil Gavaskar, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Indian Cricket Team, T20 Cricket, Aakash Chopra

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.

## What this means for you
This perspective offers crucial insights for cricket enthusiasts and team planners regarding future selection strategies.

- **Impact on Team India:** Selectors may prioritize overall team balance and bowling depth rather than hunting for an impossible direct clone of Hardik Pandya. This approach ensures that the playing XI consistently features at least four specialist bowlers.
- **Opportunities for Youngsters:** Versatile players like Naman Dhir and Axar Patel are likely to get more structured opportunities to prove their multi-dimensional utility. Such a strategy strengthens the squad's bench depth and tactical flexibility in limited-overs formats.

## Why this happened
This discussion arose in the wake of the washed-out final T20I against the West Indies and the ongoing debate surrounding team composition and all-rounder slots.

- **Search for Balance:** The Indian team has continuously experimented to achieve optimal batting depth without weakening its frontline bowling attack.
- **Series Outcome:** With the five-match series tied 2-2 and the decider abandoned due to rain, experts analyzed the strategic gaps and the failure to test bowlers in crunch situations.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is Sunil Gavaskar's advice to the Indian team?
Gavaskar advised that instead of hunting for a replacement for Hardik Pandya, the team should focus on players who can execute distinct roles.

### 2. What was the result of the T20 series against the West Indies?
The five-match T20 series ended in a 2-2 draw as the final match was abandoned due to rain.

### 3. Which young player did Gavaskar cite as an example?
Gavaskar cited Naman Dhir as an example of a player capable of contributing effectively with both bat and ball.

### 4. What caution did Gavaskar give regarding the bowling attack?
Gavaskar warned that teams should not weaken their bowling lineup while trying to stretch their batting order and must field at least four specialist bowlers.

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