'India should "move on" from their search for a fast-bowling all-rounder' - Gautam Gambhir

Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir has said that India should “move on” from their search for a fast-bowling all-rounder. He also suggested that they should groom them at the domestic level before bringing them into the international circuit as well. However, India have tried out several players in the all-rounder’s position in limited-overs and Test cricket where Hardik Pandya has been struggling with injuries over the past three years.

“If you don’t have something, don’t go for it. You have to accept and move on. Don’t try and create something which you can’t create, that is where the problem lies,” Gambhir told Sports Today.

Gautam Gambhir also said that India should look to groom players at the domestic level instead of doing that on international cricket.

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“I have always believed that international cricket is all about delivering and not grooming someone” – Gautam Gambhir

“I have always believed that international cricket is all about delivering and not grooming someone. Grooming happens in domestic and India A level. When you represent your country, you should be ready to go out there and perform straightaway,” said the former India opener.

Notably, Venkatesh Iyer has played the three-match ODI series in South Africa as an all-rounder. However, he couldn’t do well in the first two games and was dropped for the third match as well. He has also not been selected in the ODI side that will take on the West Indies team at home from February 6. Gambhir has also said that once a player has been selected, he has to be given a longer run in the team as well.

“We keep talking about not having an all-rounder since Kapil Dev to be honest. So move on and try to develop people at the Ranji Trophy and once they get ready, get them in international cricket and stick with them. Don’t keep changing them quickly. We have seen that with so many guys like Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube and now Venkatesh Iyer. We need to move on,” concluded Gautam Gambhir.