Hardik Pandya does not succumb to pressure: Kapil Dev | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Hardik Pandya does not succumb to pressure: Kapil Dev

Hindustan Times, Chandigarh | By
Jan 08, 2018 08:32 PM IST

Hardik Pandya, who smashed 93 and put in a good performance with the balk, has been hailed by former Indian cricket team all-rounder Kapil Dev as a player who shows “promise and commitment”.

Even as the Indian cricket team capitulated chasing a low fourth innings total, legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was all praise for Hardik Pandya, the man being seen as the former skipper’s heir in the Test side. (SOUTH AFRICA vs INDIA UPDATES)

Hardik Pandya was the lone bright star for India in the Cape Town Test against South Africa with his all-round show.(AFP)
Hardik Pandya was the lone bright star for India in the Cape Town Test against South Africa with his all-round show.(AFP)

“He has done an exceptional job in the first innings for India with his knock. He shows promise and commitment,” Kapil Dev said during a promotional event at the Chandigarh Press Club on Monday. India were tottering at 92/7 in the first innings when Pandya arrived and scored a brilliant 95-ball knock of 93. “Despite being 24 and an amateur in Test innings, he did not succumb to pressure and took on the challenge,” Kapil Dev said. (SOUTH AFRICA vs INDIA SCORECARD)

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Asked about Pandya being compared to him, Kapil said, “It is not fair to compare two cricketers. He has his own style and approach. Let’s not put pressure on Pandya by making comparisons. He is doing a fine job with the ball and bat for the Indian team. We should let such talented cricketers perform and bloom as top-class cricketers. I think cricketers of modern era are much better than the previous ones. Youngsters are doing well for Indian cricket.”

First it was Irfan Pathan and now it is Hardik Pandya who has been compared with the World Cup-winning former skipper. Pandya bowled well in the second innings and removed South Africa openers, Dean Elgar (24) and Aiden Markram (35) on Saturday to provide India early breakthroughs. Kapil also praised the Indian bowlers for their performance in the Cape Town Test, and felt they will only improve with each session.

Asked if former cricketers should take over and run the BCCI in accordance with the Lodha Committee recommendations, Kapil was guarded. “Former BCCI administrators who were not cricketers did a fine job and took the game to another level. I believe non-cricketers can definitely be good administrators.”

A decade ago Kapil was at loggerheads with BCCI and had become chairman of the rebel T20 league, Indian Cricket League. But ICL became defunct and Kapil Dev has since mended fences with the Indian Board.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Catch all the Latest RCB Unbox 2024 LIVE, Cricket News, Live Cricket Score and IPL 2024 Schedule, match updates along with Cricket Schedule, Purple Cap in IPL 2024, Orange Cap in IPL 2024 and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Shalini Gupta is a member of the Chandigarh sports team and has been a sports journalist for 10 years. She mainly writes on cricket.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On