New Delhi, October 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India legend Sunil Gavaskar has cautioned Team India against becoming overly focused on finding a replacement for Hardik Pandya, saying the all-rounder is irreplaceable and the team should instead consider players who can perform different roles.
Discussing the key takeaways from the T20I series against the West Indies, Gavaskar stressed that India need to build their bowling attack around at least four specialist bowlers, with the fifth and sixth options coming from all-rounders who can also contribute with the bat.
The West Indies’ wait for a bilateral series win in India since 2002 continues after the final T20I between the two sides was abandoned due to rain, with play ending after 46 balls of India’s innings.
The series provided India with an opportunity to assess their bench strength. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav made their case with the ball, while Naman Dhir emerged as one of the most interesting discoveries of the tour.
In Bengaluru, Dhir offered a glimpse of his batting ability with an explosive six-ball cameo. Until then, his off-spin bowling had made the stronger impression.
“We didn’t get to see the bowling. It would have been interesting to see how the Indians bowled in this nine-over game. The takeaway from the series is that, in their bowling, they have to play with at least four regular bowlers. A fifth bowler and a sixth can be your all-rounders, somebody who can bat as well,” Gavaskar said on JioStar.
He cited Dhir as an example of the kind of player India could use to strengthen their balance, alongside established all-rounder Axar Patel.
“Somebody like Naman Dhir, who’s more of a batter but who can come in and bowl two or three overs. Axar Patel, who can bowl his four overs. We sometimes get a little bit carried away with trying to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya. Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable. If you can’t find somebody of his calibre, then go with somebody who will do a slightly different job,” he added.
In the rain-affected match in Bengaluru, played under a nine-over-per-side format, Dhir smashed three sixes in just six balls as India reached 118/5 at the 7.4-over mark before rain halted play.
Gavaskar said Dhir’s ability to contribute in both departments could help India maintain the right balance between batting depth and bowling strength.
“Naman Dhir is doing that job. He’s bowling his overs well, and look at the way he batted in this game. So, that is what India need to do because the moment you go with batting up to number eight, you weaken your bowling, and that’s where you get beaten,” Gavaskar said.
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