Sunil Gavaskar Names 2 Players Who Can Replace Hardik Pandya

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar named two players who can do the all-rounder’s job for Team India and can replace Hardik Pandya. India have struggled to produce many fast-bowling all-rounders in the recent past, as a result, they rely heavily on Hardik to perform in almost every match.

Gavaskar names replacement players for Hardik

Gavaskar pointed out two players who have the potential to fulfill Hardik’s role in the squad. He picked Deepak Chahar as his first choice as the Chennai Super Kings player recently played a match-winning unbeaten 69-run knock for India in the second ODI against Sri Lanka.

The other player he chooses is veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has played some crucial knocks for India in past to rescue them from difficult situations.

“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 MS 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 MS Dhoni had won that match for India,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.

Chahar scored a phenomenal 69 not out in the second ODI, taking India out of a pit and guiding the team to a thrilling three-wicket win.

Bhuvneshwar on the other hand, has three half-centuries in Tests and one in ODIs, while possessing a batting average of 42.75 in First-Class cricket. Gavaskar feels there is no reason why Chahar and Bhuvneshwar can’t be groomed into proper all-rounders.

Gavaskar further said that Team India didn’t give opportunities to the deserving players in the past 2-3 years as they rely heavily on Hardik.

“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 the form’. If you give these guys opportunities, you can find all-rounders,” he added.