IND vs BAN: Hardik Pandya named as a backup option as Sunil Gavaskar minces no words in India's evaluation

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar picked India's ideal bowling combination for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). Sunil Gavaskar advised captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid to use Hardik Pandya as the fifth bowling option.

India have picked three pacers, two wrist spinners, and two left-arm finger spinners in their squad for the tournament. The team management will finalize their bowling combination in their lone warm-up match against Bangladesh at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday, June 1.

Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are definite picks in the playing XI. Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the pace bowling attack in the World Cup. One of Axar Patel or Yuzvendra Chahal will be picked if the team chooses three spinners. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are the fast bowling options in the team.

This Will Maintain The Balance Of The Team - Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking to Dainik Jagran, Sunil Gavaskar emphasized the importance of a balanced bowling attack in the World Cup. Gavaskar suggested that India should include three spinners and two fast bowlers, with Hardik Pandya serving as a backup fast bowler.

"A balanced bowling attack is the most important in West Indies, so India can go with three spinners and two fast bowlers, with Hardik Pandya as the backup fast bowler. I think this will maintain the balance of the team," Gavaskar told Dainik Jagran in an interview.

Hardik Pandya had a disappointing season as the Mumbai Indians captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The 30-year-old scored 216 runs in 13 innings and took 11 wickets in the T20 tournament. The star all-rounder will be eager to improve his performance at the upcoming showpiece event.

Pandya and Shivam Dube are the two fast-bowling all-rounders in the squad. Pandya and Dube are sweating it out in bowling during India's rigorous net sessions ahead of the warm-up match. Dube had limited opportunities to bowl for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2024 due to the Impact Player rule.

Team Has A Good Mix Of Experience And Youth - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar was impressed with India's squad selection for the World Cup, describing it as well-balanced. The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted a good mix of youth and experienced players in the team.

"I believe that this is a team that has a good mix of experience and youth. Along with Rohit, Virat, Surya, and Bumrah, there are young players like Yashasvi, Rishabh, and Shivam, who strengthen the team," Gavaskar added.

The 74-year-old refrained from predicting the T20 World Cup semifinalists, stating that all teams appear to be well-balanced. "It cannot be said who the four semi-finalists will be because in my view all the teams look balanced," Gavaskar further added.

Team India will kick off their T20 World Cup journey against Ireland on June 5 in New York. The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan will be played on June 9 at the same venue. Rohit Sharma's team will take on the USA and Canada on June 12 and 15, respectively.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: RP Singh criticizes Sam Curran's handling of Arshdeep Singh in IPL 2024; shares WC success plan