Published: Jan 17, 2018, 10:08 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 17, 2018, 10:08 PM (IST)
Cricket is a funny game. Comparisons are synonymous to this sport. Right since Hardik Pandya’s rise in Indian colours, he has been compared with the legendary Kapil Dev. While many have dismissed the comparisons, Kapil himself has gone on record to term the Baroda youngster “better” than him.
It was only last week when the fraternity went gaga over Pandya’s ability to change games. Another defeat and the tables have turned. Kapil went on to criticise Pandya’s batting performance in the second Test and said the Baroda all-rounder did not deserve to be compared with him.
“If Pandya keeps making silly mistakes like these then he doesn’t deserve to be compared with me,” Kapil told ABP news.
Kapil was reacting to Pandya’s dismissal in the second innings. Chasing 287, India were reeling at 65 for 5 when Pandya walked in. He perished falling prey to debutant Lungi Ngidi’s tactic while trying to execute the famous ramp shot. In the first innings, Pandya ran himself out at a critical juncture as he forgot to ground his bat. He received heavy criticism for that.
“He definitely has a lot of talent, he has shown it in the first Test but I believe he needs to work on the mental aspect.” Kapil said.
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Sandeep Patil was at the helm of the selection committee that inducted Pandya into the national side. Patil has played a lot of cricket with Kapil, and he went on to dismiss the comparison.
“I have played a lot of cricket with Kapil, really there is no comparison. Kapil played 15 years for India with terrific performance and Pandya is only in his fifth Test match. There is a long way to go,” Patil said.
India have now lost six out of their seven series in South Africa. In 2010-11, India had managed to draw level 1-1.
