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T20 World Cup: I will consider Ishan Kishan ahead of Hardik Pandya if he is not bowling, says Sunil Gavaskar

ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Sunil Gavaskar named two worthy replacements for the out-of-form Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for India’s upcoming Super 12 game against New Zealand in Dubai.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya have been woefully out of form with the ball and bat respectively (AFP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSBoth Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar flopped with bat and ball in India’s opening game vs PakistanPandya scored just 11 runs from 8 balls while Bhuvi went wicketless for 25 runs from his 3 oversSunil Gavaskar said the Indian team management can think of bringing in Ishan Kishan and Shardul Thakur

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar suggested two changes to the Indian team ahead of their crucial encounter against New Zealand in the Super 12s of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai.

Gavaskar said the Indian team management can think of bringing in Ishan Kishan and Shardul Thakur in place of Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, respectively, for their next game which will be played on October 31.

Both Pandya and Bhuvi flopped with bat and ball in their opening game against Pakistan which India lost by 10 wickets to suffer their first-ever World Cup defeat against the Men in Green.

Pandya scored just 11 runs from 8 balls after coming into bat at No. 7 while Bhuvneshwar went wicketless from his 3 overs, conceding 25 runs at an economy rate of 8.33. Gavaskar therefore, feels India can consider replacing the duo with the in-form Kishan and Shardul on Sunday.

Ishan Kishan has hit a half-century in his last three T20 innings, including the 70 not out against England in India’s first warm-up game in Dubai.

Shardul on the other hand, was instrumental in Chennai Super Kings’ victorious IPL 2021 campaign with 21 wickets from 16 games at an average of 25.09.

“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,” the India legend told Sports Tak.

There was some good news in store for India on Wednesday as Hardik Pandya bowled for the first time in months during the team’s training session in Dubai.

The all-rounder rolled his arm over for a short period but gave encouraging signs to the team management ahead of their must-win game against the Blackcaps. Pandya last bowled for India in July but has refrained from doing so ever since due to his recurring back injury.

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