‘If I was part of the Indian team, I would look to pick…..’ – Sunil Gavaskar’s changes to India’s XI in Hardik Pandya’s absence

Team India is all set to take on the table-toppers of the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 22 at the HPCA in Dharamshala for their fifth game of the ongoing marquee event. Notably, India’s great all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is out of the game due to injuries he sustained against Bangladesh at the MCA in Pune. Following the same, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar shared his views on Hardik Pandya’s replacement in the clash against the Black Caps.

The well-renowned cricket commentator has picked up Suryakumar Yadav as well as Ishan Kishan to strengthen Team India’s batting in the middle order against strong Kiwis. In addition, the former batting legend believes that New Zealand is extremely good with their new ball, which can dismiss India’s top order early in the game, so they need a strong batting line-up, especially in the middle orders, and for the same, he has named Mumbai Indians stars Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan to get a place in India’s starting line-up.

“If I was part of the Indian team, I would look to pick Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan – strengthen the batting. What has been India’s problem against New Zealand – their top-class new-ball bowling which gets the top two or three batters out. So you need a little depth in your batting,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

That little aspect of bowling which with Hardik Pandya’s absence: Sunil Gavaskar

The legendary cricketer says that despite the batting greats, Team India may need Mohammad Shami, who will boost their pace and attack along with Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah in the game against table-toppers. Moreover, the 74-year-old cricketer feels Mohammed Shami can strengthen Team India’s bowling in the absence of Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya.

“So make two changes basically because, with Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav, your batting gets strengthened anyway, but Shami coming in will strengthen the bowling as well. That little aspect of bowling which with Pandya’s absence was getting a little bit weakened, that will be enormously strengthened,” he added further.