The Indian team has been concerned about Hardik Pandya’s performance. The all-rounder, who has previously won India matches with both bat and ball, has struggled recently. The big shots have vanished, and Pandya’s role with the ball has been limited as a result of his back surgery. The big hits have been few and far between, and his effectiveness as a medium-pacer has dwindled.
Pandya batted in both innings of the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka. While he was out for a duck in the second ODI, the all-rounder got a start in the third before being bowled LBW by left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama on a turning ball. In the first T20I, something similar happened, as well.
It’s safe to say that Pandya can’t rely on his past performance alone, and the more he fails to get going, the more pressure he’ll face. Sunil Gavaskar, who has weighed in on the subject, has made an interesting point. The former India captain feels that India have backup all-rounder options in two players – who if groomed properly, are more than capable of taking up the all-rounder’s place for India. Former India captain Virat Kohli believes that India has backup all-rounder options in two players who, if properly groomed, are more than capable of filling the role.
“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 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 Dhoni had won that match for India,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
Chahar hit a brilliant 69 not out in the second One-Day International, pulling India out of a hole and guiding them to a thrilling three-wicket victory. Bhuvneshwar, on the other hand, has three Test half-centuries and one ODI half-century, with a First-Class batting average of 42.75. There’s no reason, according to Gavaskar, why Chahar and Bhuvneshwar can’t develop into true all-rounders.
“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 form’. If you give these guys opportunities, you can find all-rounders,” he added.
