Sunil Gavaskar, former Indian captain and Cricket pundit, is highly impressed with Kedar Jadhav’s all-round efforts in the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 so far, backing him to replace injured Hardik Pandya in the playing XI for the remaining matches of the tournament in the UAE.

All-rounder Pandya was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2018 with a back injury on Thursday that he sustained during India’s league match against Pakistan and BCCI named Ravindra Jadeja as his replacement, calling him on short notice, but Gavaskar feels Jadhav is an ideal option to step up the role in the squad.

Gavaskar wrote in his column for Times of India on Friday (September 21), “Kedar Jadhav has shown he can fulfill the all-rounder’s role like he did in the game against Pakistan as well as Hong Kong. Whether the opposition underrated his bowling or they get mesmerized by his various delivery points, he does a sterling job for his team and gives the extra option to the captain in case one of the main bowlers is having a hard day.”

He further went on to laud India’s efforts in the tournament so far, saying they are brilliant in the Asia Cup 2018 in all departments, saying their “efforts in the desert heat too have been heartwarming.”

Gavaskar signed off by saying, “India will be mighty pleased with the return to form of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. Getting off to a flying start makes the journey towards a big score eminently easier. Ambati Rayudu is looking in good touch too and his direct hit run-out of Shoaib Malik ensured Pakistan did not have a late flourish. Over the last year or so the Indian bowling attack has taken center-stage and has shown its capability of picking wickets in any conditions. Their efforts in the desert heat too have been heartwarming.”