Gavaskar was impressed with Naman Dhir's performance in recent times.
Legendary India opener Sunil Gavaskar has asked Indian team management to avoid looking for a like-for-like replacement for mercurial all-rounder Hardik Pandya, as the Baroda cricketer is irreplaceable.
Instead, Gavaskar advised the Indian think tank to look at players who can perform different roles and also stressed the need to strengthen the bowling attack.
According to Gavaskar, rather than sacrificing their bowling prowess in order to expand the batting lineup, India should field at least four specialist bowlers, with the fifth and sixth choices being all-rounders who can contribute with the bat.
“We sometimes get a little bit carried away with trying to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya. Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable. If you can’t find somebody of his caliber, then go with somebody who will do a slightly different job," Gavaskar said on JioStar.
Gavaskar pointed to Naman Dhir's contribution with both bat and ball as an example of a player who could play a varied role.
“Naman Dhir is doing that job. He’s bowling his overs well, and look at the way he batted in this game," he said, referring to Dhir’s unbeaten six-ball 24 in the rain-hit series decider.
“The takeaway from the series is that, in their bowling, they have to play with at least four regular bowlers. A fifth bowler and a sixth can be your all-rounders, somebody who can bat as well. Somebody like a Naman Dhir, who’s more of a batter but who can come in and bowl two or three overs. Axar Patel, who can bowl his four overs," Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar warned that prioritizing batting depth could leave India vulnerable with the ball.
“The moment you go with batting up to number eight, you weaken your bowling, and that’s where you get beaten," he said.
Gavaskar claimed that India had not had a chance to evaluate their bowling in the abbreviated match because the final was abandoned.
“We didn’t get to see the bowling. It would have been interesting to see how the Indians bowled in this nine-over game," he said.
India and the West Indies shared the trophy after the five-match series ended 2-2, with rain washing out the final T20I in Bengaluru.