Hardik Pandya is one of the best all-rounders in the world: Lance Klusener

Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener believes Hardik Pandya is one of the best fast-bowling all-rounders in the world.

Due to ailments, Pandya has limited himself to playing white-ball cricket and has ruled himself out of the forthcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. The one-off Test between two top sides in the longest format of the game will take place from June 7 to 12 at The Oval in London. 

Pandya, according to Klusener, is a wonderful cricketer, and if he can stay fit and continue to bowl 135+ kmph, he will always be a contender as one of the best all-rounders. 

"He (Pandya) is a fantastic cricketer, and if he can stay fit and continues to bowl 135+ kmph, he will always be challenging as one of the best allrounders in the world," Klusener told reporters in a media interaction at the Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club.

The Proteas all-rounder believes that the Indian may have given up on Test cricket too quickly in order to manage his workload. “Yes, possibly. Test cricket (is) always the pinnacle of testing where you are as a cricketer, and testing yourselves."

WTC is the battle will be between Australia’s bowlers and India’s batters: Klusener

Klusener believes India are well-equipped for any surface in the upcoming WTC final. He said that the way Indian seamers have progressed in recent years is the reason why the team has become one of the best Test sides in the world. When asked about his favourite side to win the final, he stated that the battle will be between Australia's bowlers and India's batters, and the team who wins that battle will win. 

"Spin has been India's strength traditionally. They have the attack that can play on any surface. The way the Indian seamers have developed in the last couple of years -- a reason why they play in successive WTC finals, that’s why they are one of the best Test sides in the world.

“Teams in the past would prepare green tops so India won’t be able to compete, but that’s not the case anymore. I think they are now well equipped, whatever the conditions, they will be able to pick the team that will be competitive. It’s a tough call. The battle will be between Australia’s bowlers and India’s batters, the team that wins that battle will come out on top," Klusener added.