NEW DELHI: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that the Indian team management must think of including all-rounder Irfan Pathan in the team as he may come handy with the bat as well as on the field.
“It is important to look at the all-round options. Twenty20 is harsh on the bowlers. So it is always an advantage if you have bowlers, who can come in handy with the bat and also are good fielders.
“Hence, India must think of including Irfan Pathan as he can not only come in handy as an all-rounder but the fact that he is a left hander, may also prove good for India,” insisted Gavaskar.
The former cricketer also emphasised that captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who top-scored for India with an unbeaten 48 in the first T20I, must lead from the front.
“Dhoni today was so good, he must look to come up the order and as a skipper show the way. It always helps.”
Gavaskar also pressed for the inclusion of another specialist spinner into the side as he felt that they can slow things down.
“I think the spinners looked better. In this format, the ball comes on to the bat easily. So India must think of including another specialist spinner into the team. We could see that (David) Hussey bowled well and slowed things down.”The 62-year-old insisted that in the shortest version of the game, a team needs athletes and felt India lack in this aspect. (PTI)
