×

Hardik Pandya is his own cricketer: Lance Klusener

Pandya was criticised for his performance in the recently concluded England series and his comparisons with Kapil Dev questioned by many experts.

Hardik Pandya himself clarified that he doesn’t want to be compared with anyone, and Klusener one of the top allrounder in his playing days, echoed similar sentiments.
Hardik Pandya himself clarified that he doesn’t want to be compared with anyone, and Klusener one of the top allrounder in his playing days, echoed similar sentiments.

Former South African allrounder Lance Klusener reckons that if managed well, Hardik Pandya could be India’s mainstay for a long period of time.

Pandya was criticised for his performance in the recently concluded England series and his comparisons with Kapil Dev questioned by many experts.

Pandya himself clarified that he doesn’t want to be compared with anyone, and Klusener one of the top allrounder in his playing days, echoed similar sentiments.

“I think we must be careful while making comparisons,” said the 47-year-old who will be coaching Delhi this domestic season, adding, “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.

“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,” he said.

However, Klusener reckons that Pandya is being managed well and had good the support of the management.

“I think he is in great hands in that Indian set-up. I think people just need to be a bit more patient with him. I hope he is allowed to grow and develop. 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 rated Ben Stokes as the top allrounder currently and sadi if given time, Pandya can come close to the England allrounder.

“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.

trending this week