Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable: Sunil Gavaskar after India’s 2-2 draw in T20I series vs West Indies

New Delhi: The legendary Sunil Gavaskar called Hardik Pandya irreplaceable as he urged India to change their combination after their 2-2 draw in the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies. The series ended in a stalemate after the fifth and final T20I between the two sides ended in a no result due to rain on Saturday, October 17.

Gavaskar pointed out that India’s strategy to play with only three specialist bowlers for the majority of the series was a flawed one and that they should have gone with a fourth bowler. The lack of depth in India’s bowling attack cost the hosts dearly as the West Indies batters made the most of the hosts’ shortcomings.

Shai Hope’s men scored 240-plus runs in two matches, securing a 2-2 draw in the five-match series. Gavaskar said India should opt for four specialist bowlers in their line-up with two all-rounders supporting them. He also insisted that there is no like-for-like replacement for Hardik in Indian cricket at present.

“India have to play with at least 4 regular bowlers, and a 5th and 6th bowling all-rounders who can bat as well, possibly Axar Patel and Naman Dhir. I think sometimes we get carried away trying to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya. Hardik is irreplaceable,” Gavaskar said on JioHotstar.

“If you cannot find someone of his calibre, then go with somebody who will do a different job. Naman Dhir is doing that job. I think that’s what India need to do,” he added.

Gavaskar said having eight batters in the line-up while neglecting the bowling attack hurt India in the series as their bowling was not up to the mark.

“Axar Patel is your fifth regular bowler. When you bat up to 8, you weaken your bowling, and that’s where you get beaten,” added the batting legend.

Hardik Pandya’s return date not known

Hardik has been out of action for India for months now. He was named in India A’s squad for their recently concluded unofficial ODI series against Australia A but was ruled out at the last minute due to a fresh injury setback at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru.

The star all-rounder’s return date is currently not known as India continue to wait in anticipation for his comeback. Hardik was not included as the BCCI announced India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand on Friday. In his absence, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel and Naman Dhir are three all-rounders included in the ODI squad.