If Hardik is unfit, you have Vijay but I have my doubts about his impact: Gambhir

Vartha Bharati | 28-11-2020 | 16:09:00 IST

New Delhi: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels Virat Kohli's team will keep facing the problem of imbalance till it finds a suitable replacement for a half-fit Hardik Pandya as his nearest competitor Vijay Shankar is not of the same level.

Pandya is playing currently as a specialist batsman and is not sure when he would be fully fit to bowl in ODI cricket. India lost to Australia by 66 runs in a high-scoring series opener in which the visitors missed a sixth bowling option.

Asked if there is a problem of balance, the hero of two World Cup triumphs couldn't agree more.

"Big-time and this has been happening what -- since the last World Cup. If Hardik is not fit (to bowl), where is your sixth bowling option," Gambhir was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

"It's only Vijay Shankar that I can think of but does he have the same impact batting at No 5 or 6. Can he give you seven or 8 overs, I have my doubts," the straight-talking Gambhir said.

According to Gambhir, this is the kind of problem that can't be sorted even if an opener of Rohit Sharma's caliber comes back.

"You can talk (about) putting in Manish Pandey, even if and when Rohit Sharma comes back in the XI, the problem you are facing now you will be facing then. There is no one in the top six who can actually give you a couple of overs," he said.

While Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell are already in the playing XI as pace and spin bowling all-rounders respectively, Australia has a number of back-up men with multiple skill-sets, including rookie Cameron Green, who is set to make his international debut.

"And if you see the Australian side, there is Moises Henriques, who can give you a couple of overs, there is Sean Abbott who is bowling all-rounder. They have Daniel Sams who can both bowl and bat.

"From the Indian point of view, if Hardik is unfit where is the replacement?"

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Attack reported on Iraq’s Balad Airbase: Explosions heard, drone strike suspected

24-06-2025 ¦ 24-06-2025 IST

Baghdad: An attack has reportedly taken place on the Balad Airbase located in Salahuddin province, about 100 kilometers north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The incident was reported by Al Jazeera, citing the Kurdistan24 news network based in Baghdad.

The Balad Airbase, which was used by the United States during the Iraq war, is one of the largest airbases in the country. According to earlier reports by Iran's Tasnim news agency, two loud explosions were heard at the base. However, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

In a related development, a suspected drone strike targeted the former U.S. Victory Base Complex near Baghdad International Airport, Tasnim reported, quoting informed sources.

Investigations are currently underway, and security forces remain on high alert in the region following these developments, which come amid heightened tensions in the region.