Hardik Pandya is the all-rounder India was searching for: Chairman of selector MSK Prasad

The chairman of selectors MSK Prasad feels that all-rounder Hardik Pandya has the potential to match legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev, provided the all-rounder stays grounded. He first made the rise during the IPL, playing for Mumbai Indians. Pandya, in his first Test series, has made a mark for himself by scoring a hundred in the ongoing 3rd Test match.

The search is over

When asked if India’s search for the next all-rounder is over, Prasad said “yes”. He also added that he is very happy to see Pandya in good form. Before Pandya, Stuart Binny was also in the contention, but he could not make a mark for himself. Pandya scored a half-century in the first Test and sealed his place with a ton in the ongoing one.

Prasad was especially happy for the all-rounder because he has ticked all the boxes now. Pandya has established himself in the shorter formats of the game and this opportunity was important for him to make a mark in the longest format of the game.

Ticking all the boxes

The former wicket-keeper said, “He has already established himself in shorter formats (ODIs and T20) very well and this Test series has given him a good platform to establish himself in the longest format. I am very happy to say that our search for an all-rounder has been successful in the form of Hardik.”

“If he stays grounded, I am sure we will see him being compared to the legendary Kapil Dev in the times to come,” Prasad told PTI after Pandya hit his maiden Test ton that had as many as seven huge sixes. Since Kapil’s retirement in 1994, India could never find an all-rounder of his calibre.

Captain Virat Kohli earlier backed the all-rounder and even compared him to Ben Stokes. “I don’t see any reason why he can’t do for India what Ben Stokes has been doing for England,” Kohli had said after Pandya’s maiden Test half century in Galle.