Sunil Gavaskar explains how both Pant and Karthik can be accommodated in India playing XI; 'That could well happen'

great Sunil Gavaskar feels India can accommodate both Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant in playing XI by making Hardik Pandya fifth bowling option in upcoming T20 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma-led side, who will open ir campaign against Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday, have two wicketkeeper-batter options in Karthik and Pant, both of m vying for a spot in XI.

As India think-tank ponders over its team combination ahe of Pakistan clash, legendary 73-year-old feels both could be accommodated.

“It’s just that maybe, if y decide to go with six bowlers, with Hardik Pandya being sixth bowler, n he (Pant) may t be able to find a place," Gavaskar said on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Live’.

"But if y decide to go with Hardik Pandya as a fifth bowler, n Rishabh Pant has an opportunity to bat at number six and Karthik maybe at number seven, followed by four bowlers. So, that could well happen, we just have to wait and see.

"y would certainly want a left-hander in middle, but looking at top four, who are in such good form, you sometimes say to yourself, ‘How many overs Rishabh Pant is going to get in? "Is he going to get three or four overs? And for three or four overs, is Karthik or Rishabh better?’ So, se are all situations y will look at and y’ll take a call on this,” he said.

Gavaskar also spoke about Pakistan pace gun Shaheen Shah Afridi and said he looked to have returned to full fitness in warm-up match against England.

Shaheen returned with figures of 2-0-7-0 in his comeback match against England on October 17.

"I think that's what ir main concern was, about his fitness and how he will shape up. And certainly, in two overs that he bowled, he's shown that he's back to full fitness.

"So, clearly that is one heache gone. I think with ir catching, y were much better than what we saw against England.

"ir ground fielding was very good. So, se are two aspects that was worrying m and y have shown improvement in those areas. So, I don't think y'll have any doubts when y'll take on India on Sunday,” Gavaskar concluded.