Here's how October 16 connects Jacques Kallis, Hardik Pandya and Kapil Dev

The game of cricket is all about numbers and statistics. One such number which unites three of the greatest all-rounders by the names of Jacques Kallis, Kapil Dev and Sir Gary Sobers is that of October 16. Connecting a few dots and following the same pattern set by the trio, the same can be said for the latest sensation of Indian cricket, Hardik Pandya.

The finest all-rounder the game has ever seen, Protean legend Jacques Kallis celebrates his 43rd birthday on this very day. Also, the greatest all-rounder from India, Kapil Dev, made his debut against Pakistan on this day in Faisalabad.

Furthermore, it was only on this day that Hardik Pandya made his ODI debut against New Zealand at Dharamsala while receiving the cap from the legend himself, Kapil Dev. On the basis of the start made by the Baroda player in his brief international stint, one can firmly state that the younger Pandya is one the right track, trailblazed by the greatest of all-rounders.

Hardik – The expected Kapil Dev’s successor

Many years down the line, when the pundits would discuss the watershed moment of Pandya’s career, it would be the India-Australia series in 2017 where he was adjudged as the man of the series as well as the man of the match on two occasions due to his escapades with both bat and ball.

Hardik Pandya was unstoppable thus far as he managed to pick up a reputation for being a spin killer. In his brief career, he has already taken spinners such as Adam Zampa, Imad Wasim and Malinda Pushpakumara for three consecutive sixes.

By looking at his appetite for destruction, it can be safely assumed that the dynamic batsman would be looking to add a few more spinners in his interesting list. There have been no doubts about his batting credentials, but now Pandya’s bowling credentials are also discussed in length, much to the joy of an ardent India Cricket fan.