Gambhir’s comments highlight India’s search for a fast bowling all-rounder, raising doubts over Hardik Pandya’s future in Tests
The Indian cricket team has always been known for its strong batting and world-class spinners. With top bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammad Siraj, India is also leading in fast bowling. When it comes to spin, the team boasts great all-rounders like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who have proven themselves with both bat and ball. Players like Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav are also performing exceptionally well in the spin department.
However, there has always been a gap when it comes to a quality pace all-rounder for India. This role, which was once filled by greats like Kapil Dev, seems to be missing a consistent figure in the current Indian team. Today, Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur, and Shivam Dube are among the few pace all-rounders who are frequently seen in and out of the team. But the team management seems to favor Hardik Pandya, despite him not playing Test matches.
Gambhir Hints at the Need for a Pace All-Rounder
When former cricketer Gautam Gambhir was asked about the lack of pace all-rounders in the Indian cricket team, his response was brief but revealing. He suggested that India is still searching for someone to fill this important role. However, Gambhir didn’t directly mention Hardik Pandya, but his words seemed to suggest that Hardik’s absence from Test cricket might not be as critical as some believe.
In his statement, Gambhir pointed out that developing international players is not the job of international cricket but of first-class cricket. He explained that players who perform well in first-class cricket eventually make their way to international cricket. For him, the question of finding a pace all-rounder has been there since the time of Kapil Dev, but the focus should be on developing such talent in domestic cricket.
Gambhir Emphasizes India’s Spin All-Rounder Strength
Gambhir further noted that India should stop worrying too much about the absence of a fast bowling all-rounder. He emphasized that the team already has quality spin-bowling all-rounders like Jadeja, Ashwin, and Axar Patel, who have consistently delivered in Test matches. He highlighted that Ashwin, for example, has five Test centuries to his name, proving his worth as an all-rounder.
Gambhir also pointed out that few international teams possess spin-bowling all-rounders, and India is fortunate to have several. He advised that the focus should be on these players, and while it would be great to find a fast-bowling all-rounder in the future, India is still in a good position with the all-rounders it currently has.
Hardik Pandya’s Role: A Point of Debate?
While Gambhir did not explicitly mention Hardik Pandya, his comments seem to raise questions about Hardik’s role in the Test format. Pandya, who is a vital part of India’s limited-overs setup, has been reluctant to return to Test cricket, primarily due to injury concerns. This leaves a gap in the team when it comes to having a pace-bowling all-rounder for the longer format of the game.
However, with players like Shardul Thakur and Shivam Dube also in the mix, India may eventually find someone who can fill this gap. Gambhir believes that the answer lies in India’s strong domestic structure, where the next fast-bowling all-rounder may be developed.
The Search Continues: India’s Pace All-Rounder Puzzle
Gambhir’s statement underscores a reality that India has been dealing with for a long time: the search for a dependable fast-bowling all-rounder. While the team is rich in spin-bowling all-rounders, the pace-bowling department still lacks someone who can contribute equally with bat and ball in all formats of the game.
India’s strong first-class cricket structure offers hope that a fast-bowling all-rounder will emerge soon, but for now, the team remains reliant on its top-quality spinners and fast bowlers.
