Pant at 6 and Karthik at 7 in enjoying XI if Hardik is fifth bowler: Sunil Gavaskar suggests forward of IND vs PAK T20 World Cup match

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar stated that India can match each Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik within the enjoying XI if Hardik Pandya performs because the fifth bowler within the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma-led India will open their account towards Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday.

“It’s just that maybe, if they decide to go with six bowlers, with Hardik Pandya being the sixth bowler, then he (Pant) may not be able to find a place,” Gavaskar stated on Star Sports present ‘Cricket Live’.

“But if they decide to go with Hardik Pandya as a fifth bowler, then Rishabh Pant has an opportunity to bat at number six and Karthik maybe at number seven, followed by the four bowlers. So, that could well happen, we just have to wait and see,” the 73-year-old stated.

“They would definitely need a left hander within the center, however trying on the prime 4, who’re in such good kind, you typically say to your self, ‘How many overs Rishabh Pant is going to get in? “Is he going to get three or four overs? And for three or four overs, is Karthik or Rishabh better?’

So, these are all of the conditions they may have a look at they usually’ll take a name on this,” he stated.

Gavaskar additionally spoke about Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and stated, “I believe that’s what their important concern was, about his health and the way he’ll form up. And actually, within the two overs that he bowled, he’s proven that he’s again to full health.

“So, clearly that’s one headache gone. I believe with their catching, they have been significantly better than what we noticed towards England.

“Their ground fielding was very good. So, these are two aspects that was worrying them and they have shown improvement in those areas. So, I don’t think they’ll have any doubts when they’ll take on India on Sunday,” Gavaskar concluded.