Don't Put Pressure on Hardik Pandya - Kapil Dev on Comparisons

Former India’s World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev has his say on the comparisons with all-rounder Hardik Pandya. In fact, there has been a lot of comparisons drawn since Hardik Pandya has come on to the big stage. However, we have seen that drawing comparison between the former players as well as the current players is irrelevant as the conditions, rules and players were different in a different era.

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Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has shown the promise to be the future of Indian cricket. Pandya has been in fine form in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League. The Baroda all-rounder has scored 386 runs in the 14 matches of the season. He has scored his runs at a strike rate of 193 and he is striking the ball cleanly.

Let Hardik Pandya play natural game.

Kapil Dev said as quoted by Reuters, “Don’t put pressure on him. Let him play his natural game with a free mind, rather than bogging him down with comparison. I don’t like being  compared to anyone.”

On the other hand, India has had its issues for the number four batsman. Vijay Shankar is expected to be India’s number four and it would be interesting to note how he performs at the troublesome position. Shankar doesn’t have a lot of experience under his belt as he has played only eight matches and he would need to handle pressure situations with guile.

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Kapil Dev believes that any batsman can bat at any position in the modern game. The current players are flexible to bat at any place in the batting order.

Any batsmen can bat at any position – Kapil Dev.

“In the age of Twenty20, it’s difficult to say who’s an opener and who’s number four,” Kapil told reporters at a promotional event.

“The mindset these days is anybody can go and bat (at any number). Remember when (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni went before Yuvraj Singh in Mumbai?” he said, referring to 2011 final in which India beat Sri Lanka to win their second 50-over title.

“In the last 10 years, cricket has changed so much that it almost feels odd to have permanent slots, maybe with the exception of openers.

“In fact, these days you can even send an opener to bat at number four.”

Meanwhile, India has covered most of the bases before the World Cup. In fact, Virat Kohli’s led team is one of the strong contenders of the ODI showpiece. India will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5th at Southampton.