Hardik Pandya draws level with legend Kapil Dev’s 34 year old ODI record

Kapil Dev won the 1983 World Cup for India as captain.

Hardik Pandya has been a boon to Indian cricket

Hardik Pandya is touted as the next Kapil Dev and the all-rounder is on the right path of emulating one of the world’s greatest all-rounders in India’s 1983 World Cup winning captain.

Pandya made his debut in ODIs against New Zealand in 2016 and just over a year later, he has become an integral part of India’s setup in all the three formats. Pandya took a break against Sri Lanka in Tests, to keep himself fresh for the South Africa series next year, where he is slated to play an important role.

Pandya recently equaled Kapil Dev’s 34 year old ODI record. Kapil had scored 500+ runs and took 25 wickets in the same calendar year; he lifted the World Cup for India. After Kapil’s retirement in 1994, India were constantly hunting for another seam bowling all-rounders and though player’s like Stuart Binny, Irfan Pathan and Rishi Dhawan showed promise; Hardik Pandya has proven that he can fill the huge shoes left empty by Kapil Dev.

Kapil Dev is India's greatest all-rounder and one of the greatest in the world

Hardik Panyda scored 500+ runs and took 30+ wickets in 2017, to equal Kapil Dev’s long standing ODI record. In the current calendar year, Pandya featured in 29 matches for India and scored 557 runs in 19 innings at a blistering average of 120.56 with four fifties. In the bowling department, Pandya bowled in 27 innings, taking 31 wickets at an average of 35.51.

Kapil Dev, on the other hand, had taken 25 wickets in 18 innings in 18 matches and scored 527 runs at an average of 37.64.

 

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 18 Dec, 2017

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