Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday said suspended fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is "crucial" for the team's balance but rejected suggestions that the side was struggling for a fifth bowler in the ongoing ODI series against Australia.
India take on Australia in the series-decider on Friday. There are bound to be changes to the team composition in the light of Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Siraj failing to impress in the first two matches.
Dhawan came out in support of the two young pacers, but added that the presence of an all-rounder in the side is imperative for balance.
"The balance that Hardik (Pandya) creates when he's in the team is very crucial for our team," Dhawan acknowledged in the pre-match press conference.
"Even when Kedar (Jadhav) plays, the overs of off-spin he bowls are very beneficial for us...I would say he is our golden arm, and he always takes wickets when he comes on. So often, he's broken a big partnership. An all-rounder in Tests and limited-overs' cricket is equally important," he added.
Talking about Ahmed and Siraj, Dhawan said the youngsters will mature and get better with time.
"It's not a worry (about the bowling). They just came in. They are young blokes. We will back them. That's how they're going to learn, when they play against a good side," he said.
"If they go for runs, that's where they have to lift themselves up and think more about their game and strategies. That's how they'll become more mature players. It's good that they are getting chances over here," he added.
Dhawan said the team is looking to make history by winning the first ever bilateral ODI series on Australian soil, following up on the 2-1 Test series' win here. He felt the batting line-up, including veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni, finding form only bodes well for their preparations ahead of the 2019 ODI World Cup.
"Winning the series will mean a lot to us. Winning both Tests and if we win tomorrow, it is going to be a big achievement for us. We are going to value it and cherish it," he said.
