Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India captain Kapil Dev on Friday said Hardik Pandya cannot be considered an all rounder at the moment. There have been questions over Hardik Pandya’s role in Team India of late. The legendary World Cup winning captain made a huge statement over Hardik’s role as an all-rounder in the Indian team.
The former India cricketer was on a whirlwind tour to Kolkata for a golf event at the Royal Calcutta Gold Club. According to Kapil Dev, “He have to do both the job (batting and bowling) to be considered an all rounder. He is not bowling now so can we still call him (Hardik Pandya) an all-rounder now? Let him bowl.”
He added, “He has come out of an injury. I think he is extremely important batsman for the country. As far as ahis bowling is concerned, he has to bowl a lot more in matches.”
Heaping loads of praises on current Team India all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, the Haryana Hurricane said, “What a fabulous cricketer he (Ravindra Jadeja) is but unfortunately he improved as a batsman and come down as a bowler to me. When he started, he was far better bowler but now he is a far better batter. Every time India needs him, he wills score runs. But he is not performing as a bowler what he used to,” said Kapil.
Shreyas Iyer on Friday scored a maiden test ton against New Zealand in Kanpur. Considering the recent dip in form for senior cricketers like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara and the emergence of youngsters like Shreyas, Kapil said, “Whenever you entrust someone with an opportunity wait for a few years to assess his performance. Let’s not jump in sharing an opinion.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently announced that Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy in 2025. Given the current political situation between two countries, it leaves a huge question on whether the Indian cricket board will travel to Pakistan to take part in the event.
According to Kapil, “I don’t think it’s right for me to give my opinion. I think it’s the country’s policy and the board’s policy which is more important. People like us should not give an opinion and try to create something, I would rather sit and watch as this is not my cup of tea. So why should I comment on it. As a sportsman we would like to play. Rest leave it to the organization and government”
He added, “If the government is open to play in any particular country we will go and play. That is what happened when we toured to South Africa in 1992.”