Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar rubbished a query questioning veteran India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s batting ability in comparison to T20 leg-spinners from other countries. The veteran has stated that if Chahal is expected to score runs, it doesn’t say a lot about the team’s batting powers as well.

However, Chahal was among the 15 players named in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup that will take place in Australia from October 16 to November 13. Apart from the leg-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin and left-arm spinner Axar Patel are also in the team as well. In a Q&A session on Sports Tak, Gavaskar opened up on this.

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“If you are expecting runs from Chahal, then what does that say about the team? If your top seven or eight batters don’t score runs, then it’s not fair to point fingers at Chahal’s batting, if he gets out in 2-3 balls. Chahal’s job is to take 2-3 wickets in four overs and not concede more than 30-35 runs. He did that very well in the Asia Cup,” Sunil Gavaskar added.

The former India captain also backed the selectors’ decision to rest experienced all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the T20I series against South Africa.

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Sunil Gavaskar elaborated: “We must remember that Hardik Pandya has recovered from a back injury a year and a half back. As the phrase goes, we have to wrap him up in cotton wool and use him. He can be India’s match-winner with both bat and ball. As a fielder, his direct hits from mid-off can result in run outs as well. We have to use him with care. It’s good that we are in a tough group. It’s not going to be easy. But it’s good that we have strong opponents. It will prepare us for the semi-finals and finals (if India qualify).”

Team India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign by playing against Pakistan at the MCG on October 23.