Sports · Cricket · 8 hrs ago
Gavaskar says India should stop looking for a direct Hardik Pandya replacement
Sunil Gavaskar says India should stop seeking a direct replacement for Hardik Pandya, who has been sidelined by injuries.
Pandya’s absence has made it harder for India to balance batting and bowling, because he contributes in both.
Gavaskar says India should pick at least four specialist bowlers and use all-rounders as the fifth and sixth bowling options.
He pointed to Naman Dhir, who can contribute with both bat and ball, as one possible fit for a different role.
Gavaskar warned that batting down to number eight can weaken the bowling attack.
His comments followed a rain-abandoned final T20 international against West Indies in Bengaluru, leaving that five-match series level at 2-2.
The washout also meant India’s bowlers could not be tested in the shortened match, while Gavaskar urged the team to identify and support its spin options.
Sunil Gavaskar said India should stop searching for a direct replacement for Hardik Pandya because no one can take his place.
He urged the team to field at least four specialist bowlers and use all-rounders as its fifth and sixth bowling options.
Gavaskar cited Naman Dhir as a player who can contribute with both bat and ball in a different role.
He warned that extending the batting order to number eight can weaken the bowling attack.
His comments followed the rain-abandoned fifth T20 international between India and West Indies in Bengaluru.
- Who
- Sunil Gavaskar, former India player and captain, gave the advice. Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir were discussed.
- What
- Gavaskar said India should stop looking for a direct Hardik replacement, strengthen its bowling and use players who can perform different roles.
- When
- Saturday night, after the fifth T20 international. The reports were published on October 18, 2026.
- Where
- The fifth T20 international was in Bengaluru. Gavaskar's comments were carried on JioStar.
- Why
- Gavaskar said no one can replace Hardik's ability and that India should move forward with players who can contribute in different roles.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rain caused the fifth and final India-West Indies T20 international in Bengaluru to be abandoned.
Gavaskar said India should stop looking for a direct replacement for Hardik and field at least four specialist bowlers.
- India-West Indies series
- Five-match T20 international series ended 2-2
- Abandoned match
- Fifth and final T20 international in Bengaluru
- Naman Dhir's innings
- 24 not out from six balls
- Gavaskar's bowling recommendation
- At least four specialist bowlers
- All-rounder roles
- Fifth and sixth bowling options that can also contribute with the bat
3 sources
What people are saying
We sometimes get too focused on finding a replacement for Hardik Pandya. No one can take his place. If you do not find a player with his ability, move forward with a player who can perform a slightly different role.
When you take the batting down to number eight, you weaken your bowling. That is where you lose.
Naman Dhir is doing just that. He is bowling his overs well, and look at his batting in this match too.
We did not get to see the bowling. It would have been interesting to see how the Indian bowlers performed in this nine-over match.