Gavaskar said that Pandya's workload management can be managed during the IPL 2021.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar isn't pleased with India's decision to not use Hardik Pandya as a bowler in the ODI series against England. Hardik has not bowled in the ongoing ODI series, although he was used in the five-match T20I series.
India captain Virat Kohli had clarified that the decision to avoid using Hardik as a bowling option is a part of managing the all-rounder's workload for the coming months.
“When you talk about workload management, you’ve got to look at the balance of your team and if the balance of the team means that the workload management man does not fit into the Playing XI, he shouldn’t be playing in the XI. The workload can then be managed in the IPL for the following matches.
"If he plays for India, and he’s an all-rounder, he should be available to bowl three-four overs,” he said on Star Sports after the toss in the third ODI.
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Gavaskar said workload management isn't good if it ends up costing Team India and believes Kohli should bring Hardik into bowling attack if he's available.
“I totally agree that he maybe is not ready to bowl a full quota of 10 overs, but if one of the bowlers gets hammered, then you want somebody to come and fill in for three-four four overs. Hardik Pandya has todo it, India has to use him because of this workload management this is, if it’s at the cost of the Indian team, then that is not the correct thing as far as I’m concerned.”
Earlier, ex-India batsman Virender Sehwag, speaking on Cricbuzz, had expressed his disappointment over team management's decision to not bowl Hardik. He had said that fielding for 50 overs also takes a toll on the body and they should have given Hardik at least 3-4 overs.
“At least to make a change, Hardik Pandya could have been given a spell of 3-4 overs. I don’t understand if he can bowl four overs in T20I cricket, then why cannot he do the same in ODI cricket,” Sehwag asked on Cricbuzz.