ENG vs IND, 2018: Hardik Pandya is Going to be Crucial in ODIs - Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes that Hardik Pandya is going to be crucial in the ongoing three-match One-day International series against England. Pandya has shown an upward swing in his improvement graph.

Meanwhile, Pandya had done a fine job in the recently-held Twenty20 International series. In fact, he had scalped four wickets in the T20I decider after going for 22 runs in his first over.

Furthermore, he had provided the finishing touches as he scored a quickfire 33 off just 14 balls.

Thus, Gavaskar believes that Pandya will have a major role to play in the 50-over series. Meanwhile, as Pandya is India’s fifth bowler, Virat Kohli will hope that he completes his quota of ten overs.

Promising youngster Pandya can be expensive in his bowling, however, he has shown more control in the recent past.

Meanwhile, the part-time spinner Suresh Raina can chip in with some crucial overs.

Moreover, India will not have the services of Jasprit Bumrah which is going to leave a big void in the team alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the opening ODI at the Trent Bridge.

“Bumrah’s absence will be felt for he combines brilliantly with Bhuvaneshwar at the top as well as at the end of the opposition innings. Pandya put his hand up and bagged four wickets to break the England momentum at Bristol and he will be crucial with both bat and ball,” Gavaskar wrote in his TOI column.

The Little Master Sunil Gavaskar added that the form of Shikhar Dhawan is a concern for the Indian team. However, the southpaw opening batsman has had great success while playing in the English conditions in the 50-overs format.

“In batting, the only concern is Shikhar Dhawan who didn’t score many in the T20 series but he relishes the 50 over format”.

Furthermore, the legendary batsman Gavaskar penned down that India will face a tricky question of playing one or both spinners.

Kohli had dropped Kuldeep Yadav in the third T20I decider against England. However, the chinaman returned to the final XI.

“India too will be thinking whether to go with both Chahal and Kuldeep or just pick one spinner. Of course, if the weather stays bright and sunny, there’s more chance for the spinners on a dry pitch to get the ball to grip and turn”.