Hardik Pandya is nowhere near Kapil Dev, says Karsan Ghavri

The Cape Town Test started on an impressive note for all-rounder Hardik Pandya.  The dynamic cricketer first contributed with the ball, taking the important wicket of Protea skipper Faf du Plessis in the first innings as India bowled out the opponents for a modest 286. However, it was Pandya’s scintillating display with the willow that further elevated his stature as one of most sought-after all-rounders in international cricket.

Following Pandya’s recent exploits with the bat and his ability to roll his arm over has brought comparisons with the legendary Kapil Dev. Speaking on the same lines, Kapil’s bowling partner in Tests in the 1970s and 1980s, left-armer Karsan Ghavri put an end to this debate saying Pandya is miles away from the 83’ World Cup winner.

Ghavri, 66, who played 28 of his 39 Tests with Kapil, was speaking at the Legends Club gathering at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) to celebrate Kapil Dev’s 59th birthday, though five days belated. Answering the debated question, as to who is a better all-rounder, the veteran cricketer said to DNA India,  “Hardik Pandya is nowhere near Kapil Dev. And, even if he has to reach there, he has got a long, long way to go. It’s a very difficult comparison, but (Hardik) he is nowhere near Kapil Dev right now.”

Ghavri, India’s first medium-pacer to 100 Test wickets added, “Time will tell how far he (Hardik) can reach close to Kapil’s achievement or whatever Kapil has done.”

More pressure on Pandya

Hardik Pandya has begun his Test career in a promising fashion with the bat, scoring two fifties and a century in four matches so far but has taken only 7 wickets including a career-best of 2/27 in the second innings of the Cape Town Test last week. However, drawing comparisons with Kapil at an early stage in Pandya’s career will only mount pressure on the current cricketer.