Can’t Answer That”: Gautam Gambhir Seemed to be “Massively Surprised” By Hardik Pandya’s Call In Second T20I

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir disagreed with Hardik Pandya’s decision to limit Yuzvendra Chahal to two overs. Instead, Hardik choose part-timer Deepak Hooda to bowl four overs in the second T20I against New Zealand.

Yuzvendra Chahal replaced Umran Malik in the Indian cricket team’s playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand. Despite being brought in to provide wickets on a’spin-friendly’ surface, Chahal bowled only four overs during the match. When former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir, was asked about this decision by skipper Hardik Pandya, he admitted that it was a ‘massive surprise’. Gambhir even said that he “can’t answer this question”.

Gambhir agreed that younger players like Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi should be given opportunities, but he also believes that if Chahal had bowled his full quota of overs, New Zealand would have been bowled out for 80 or 85 runs. Hardik preferring to have Deepak Hooda bowl four overs was a “massive surprise” for Gambhir.

“Yes, you want to give young players like Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi another chance. However, Chahal could have been bowled in the last over or earlier. So I believe he blew it. He could have bowled New Zealand for 80 or 85 runs, and on this pitch, you don’t want to let the opposition off the hook. Surprisingly, Hooda was asked to bowl four overs but not Chahal “Gambhir stated.