Hardik played the Sydney ODI as specialist batsman and is unlikely to bowl in the near future.
Hardik took part in Friday's (November 27) ODI series opener against Australia as a specialist batsman. And while there is no doubt left in anyone's mind after his brilliant 90 in the high-pressure run-chase that Hardik can bat regularly within the top six, the Indian team still need him to bowl in order to have a much useful sixth bowling option up their sleeves and make-up overs in case others struggle.
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This was obvious when skipper Virat Kohli had no option but to finish his five specialist bowlers' quota despite them failing to restrict the dominating Aussie batsmen in Sydney.
It isn't that the team management and selectors are not aware of the longstanding issue, just that they aren't anywhere near finding a concrete, long-term solution, said Gambhir.
"Big time and this has been happening what -- since the last World Cup. If Hardik is not fit (to bowl), where is your sixth bowling option," he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo after India's 66-run defeat.
"It's only Vijay Shankar that I can think of but does he have the same impact batting at No 5 or 6. Can he give you seven or 8 overs, I have my doubts."
A lot has been made around vice-captain Rohit Sharma's injury and his absence from this series, but Gambhir worries, even when Rohit gets back into the one-day outfit, the team will lack utility options for optimum balance.
"You can talk (about) putting in Manish Pandey, even if and when Rohit Sharma comes back in the XI, the problem you are facing now you will be facing then. There is no one in the top six who can actually give you a coupe of overs," he said.
Gambhir cited the example of the Australian team and their squad depth as something to aspire for the Indians. Apart from Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell who took the field at SCG, they have Cameron Green and Moises Henriques waiting for their opportunities.
"And if you see the Australian side, there is Moises Henriques, who can give you couple of overs, there is Sean Abbott who is bowling all-rounder. They have Daniel Sams who can both bowl and bat."
"From Indian point of view, if Hardik is unfit where is the replacement?" Gambhir asked.
(Inputs from PTI)