Hardik Pandya's Workload Management Should Not Come At The Cost Of Indian Team: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar has opined on Hardik Pandya’s workload management, which has become a major talking point since the second ODI against England. Virat Kohli not bowling Hardik Pandya in the second ODI sparked debates as India could’ve prevented a loss by using their sixth bowling option. Sunil Gavaskar believes that managing the workload could not be at the cost of India’s success and that it can happen during IPL.

India’s five bowlers could not be effective enough against England’s batsmen, who made light work of 337 that India left them to achieve in the second ODI. Most importantly, Indian captain, Virat Kohli could not get the much-required support from the spin-bowling unit as Krunal Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav conceded 156 runs in 16 overs without any wickets. Furthermore, Hardik Pandya bowled well in the T20s despite which Kohli did not turn to him.

Sunil Gavaskar underlined that if workload management includes keeping the player and disrupting the team’s balance, that particular cricketer should not be in the side. The 71-year old feels that Hardik Pandya could manage his workload in IPL; however, when playing for the Indian team as an all-rounder, he has to bowl three or four overs.

“When you talk about workload management, you’ve got to look at the balance of your team and if the balance of the team means that the workload management man does not fit into the Playing XI, he shouldn’t be playing in the XI. The workload can then be managed in the IPL for the following matches. If he plays for India, and he’s an all-rounder, he should be available to bowl three-four overs,” Gavaskar said as quoted by News18.

Sunil Gavaskar feels that Hardik Pandya must support if other bowlers get hammered:

Sunil Gavaskar understands that Hardik Pandya might not be able to bowl ten overs; however, he must deliver three or four to compensate for any bowler who could have an off day. Gavaskar declared that he is not in support of any workload management policy if it comes at the cost of the Indian team’s success.

“I totally agree that he maybe is not ready to bowl a full quota of 10 overs, but if one of the bowlers gets hammered, then you want somebody to come and fill in for those three four overs. Hardik Pandya has to it, India have to use him because this workload management this is. if it’s at the cost of the Indian team, then that is not the correct thing as far as I’m concerned,” he added.

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