Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has suggested Team India to not make too many changes in the playing XI in their next game against New Zealand in Dubai. However, he further mentions if Hardik Pandya isn’t fit enough to bowl, Ishan Kishan should be brought in.

India started their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign with a defeat against Pakistan by 10 wickets. Now, India have to win their next game against New Zealand in order to stay alive in the competition.

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Hardik Pandya isn’t bowling in competitive cricket for quite a while now. Also, his form with the bat is also lacklustre in recent times. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan has been in sensational form and scored a flamboyant fifty in Mumbai Indians’ last league match before punishing England bowlers during the warm-up game.

“The game against New Zealand is crucial so you don’t want to make too many changes because that would be a sign of panic. If Hardik Pandya cannot bowl then I would like to see Ishan Kishan coming in his place because he has been in very good form,” Gavaskar told India Today.

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Sunil Gavaskar is backing Ishan Kishan to play the finisher’s role that Hardik Pandya has been doing in the last few years.

“Ishan Kishan can be the finisher that Hardik Pandya has been in earlier times for India but this time around in the IPL as well, his form was not there. So, if Pandya is not going to be bowling then I think maybe Ishan Kishan would be a better option. He can be a floater batting at No. 4, 5 or 6,” Gavaskar added.

New Zealand, just like India, lost their opening game against Pakistan by 5 wickets. Now, both teams will try to get their campaign underway by putting a point to show on the points table. The match will take place on October 31 in Dubai.