Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar added that India need to include either Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan in their playing XI to strengthen their batting lineup in Hardik Pandya’s absence for their World Cup 2023 clash against New Zealand. However, both the unbeaten sides will play against each other in Dharamsala on Sunday, October 22. While India will be without Pandya’s services as the all-rounder suffered a left ankle injury, New Zealand also won’t have Kane Williamson, who is also suffering from a thumb injury.

During an interaction on India Today, Gavaskar said: “If I was part of the Indian team, I would look to pick Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan – strengthen the batting. What has been India’s problem against New Zealand – their top-class new-ball bowling which gets the top two or three batters out. So you really need a little depth in your batting. If you have an Ashwin coming in, in place of Hardik Pandya, then it sort of weakens your batting just a little bit. So either have the left-handed Ishan Kishan or Surykumar Yadav at No. 6.”

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However, Sunil Gavaskar again shared whether India should play Mohammed Shami instead of Shardul Thakur if it’s a pace-friendly pitch. The veteran added that Shami will be a great option as India might not need an all-rounder at No. 8.

“That’s a very good idea. That might be what the Indian team’s think-tank could look to do. Bring in Shami so that you have a proper five-bowler quota and then include a batter as well. So make two changes basically because with Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav, your batting gets strengthened anyway, but Shami coming in will strengthen the bowling as well. That little aspect of bowling which with Pandya’s absence was getting a little bit weakened, that will be enormously strengthened,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.