Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has called for Ishan Kishan's inclusion to the Indian set-up in place of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has not been able to roll his arms lately. Gavaskar also suggested the team management to replace experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar with in-form Shardul Thakur.
After suffering a 10-wicket defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24, the Virat Kohli-led Indian unit will square off against New Zealand in a virtual quarterfinal of the T20 showpiece.
Both Hardik and Bhuvenshwar failed to leave their mark in the all-important game against Pakistan. While Pandya managed to notch up just 11 runs from eight deliveries, Bhuvneshwar gave away 25 runs in his four overs and failed to record a scalp to his name.
“If Hardik Pandya is not bowling due to that shoulder injury he sustained in the match against Pakistan Ishan Kishan has been in brilliant form so I will surely consider him ahead of Pandya.
"And perhaps, you can think of Shardul Thakur in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. But otherwise, if you make too many changes, then you will show the opposition that you have panicked,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
The 28-year-old Hardik has not been a regular bowler for India after his back surgery in 2019. The flamboyant Baroda all-rounder has started bowling again in the nets but in-form Ishan cannot be ignored during the marquee event.
The left-handed batter has hit a half-century in his last three T20 innings, including an unbeaten 70 against England in India's first warm-up match of the tournament.
Similarly, Shardul has been impressive with the ball lately, taking 21 plucks in Chennai Super Kings' victorious IPL 2021 campaign in the UAE. He was also the Chennai outfit's top wicket-taker.
