What happens to Vijay Shankar? asks Sunil Gavaskar as Hardik Pandya joins Team India in New Zealand

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lifted the suspensions on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul a couple of days ago. While the former was soon added to India squad for New Zealand series, Rahul has joined the India A team to play against the England Lions. The former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was delighted with the fact that Pandya will be back to playing cricket finally. But at the same time, he felt for Vijay Shankar who will have to make way for the all-rounder now.

Shankar made his ODI debut in the third and final game of the series against Australia and also played in the five-match rubber in Napier. He has literally done his job properly so far in the limited opportunities. The all-rounder is also in the playing XI for the ongoing second ODI but it looks certain that he will have to make way for Pandya in the next game.

Will Shankar be sent back now?

Sunil Gavaskar, while speaking to India Today, felt for Vijay Shankar as he had done nothing wrong with his medium pace bowling while he was unfortunate to not get the chance to bat. Having said that, Gavaskar was also happy that Pandya’s suspension was lifted as he will be crucial for India in the World Cup.

“The question is: what was he suspended for? How has the suspension been lifted without a hearing? But forget all that. Hardik will be key for India in the World Cup and it’s a good thing he is coming to New Zealand but then what happens to Vijay Shankar? He has not done a bad job at all in the two games he has played so far. He has done a pretty good containing job… What’s going to be his position?

“Is he going to be sent back now that Pandya is coming here? I know BCCI is wealthy enough to have 20, 30 people. We saw a squad of 19 in Australia,” he said.

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