Hardik Pandya broke into the Indian Cricket team as an all-rounder with a lot of promise and potential. After spending two good IPL season with Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Pandya was given his maiden India cap in ODIs and T20Is. He was then given his maiden Test cap against Sri Lanka last year.
The recently concluded Test series against England was a tour where Pandya was expected to perform to the best of his abilities. He even picked up a five-wicket haul at Trent Bridge where India won their only Test in the five-match series which they lost 4-1.
Commenting on his performance in Test cricket so far, one of the eminent all-rounders during his era, South Africa's Lance Klusener has asked the Indian team management to be patient with Hardik Pandya.
“Among current all-rounders in world cricket, Ben Stokes is right up there. There are a few who have come and gone in recent times as well but certainly, a guy like Pandya, give him a year or two at this level, there is no reason why he can’t be one of the best all-rounders out there,” Klusener told PTI in an interview here Wednesday.
“I think we must be careful while making comparisons. Everybody wants to compare Hardik to the great Kapil Dev. Hardik is his own cricketer. Of course, he has got some learning to do. I guess Hardik’s success will be based on how much he is able to learn,” Klusener said.
“I think he is in great hands in that Indian set-up. I think people just need to be a bit patient more patient with him. I hope he is allowed to grow and develop,” said Klusener.
“For me, the glue for any team is the seam bowling all-rounder because it gives you a lot more options. I think India have got the right man. It’s just that how he grows and develops himself. It’s easy to criticise but international cricket is tough out there."
“I think Hardik should be given space and allowed to grow. He is going to be that glue for India for a long time,” the 47-year-old said.
Klusener moreover pointed out a few slight changes which he needs to inculcate in his batting technique.
“His defensive technique needs a little bit of work but he is a natural striker of the ball. That needs to be encouraged. We have seen faster scoring by Stokes at the bottom of the line-up. That makes a big difference."
“Maybe Hardik needs to have the technique to defend when someone like Virat Kohli is batting at the other end. I am sure the Indian support staff have identified that weakness. The longer he plays, the longer he will be in that set-up and realise what a great talent he is,” Klusener said.
“And you can only take advantage of that great talent, if you give yourself opportunity to get in (get set). That’s one area he needs to pay a little bit of attention.”
(Inputs from Indian Express)
