Hardik Pandya doesn’t want to be compared with Kapil Dev

08/20/2018

BCCI

After bowling a magnificent spell on the second day of the third Test at Trent Bridge, Hardik Pandya wants people to stay away from comparing him with legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev. Pandya has also credited Ishant Sharma for his tips that helped him scalp five wickets on day 2.

Pandya was at his deadly best in the post-lunch session on the second day of the third Test match as he ran through the English batting to bowl out the hosts for 161. He ended with his career-best figures of 5/28 in only six overs as a result of maintaining his line and length and bowling constantly in the probing channel to trouble the Englishmen. He drew heavy flacks after his recent failures and West Indian legend Michael Holding even questioned his all-round abilities and role in the team. Ever since he burst into international cricket, he is often compared with 1983 world cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev, but Pandya wants to steer away from any sort of comparison at the moment.

“The problem here is, they compare but all of a sudden when something goes wrong, they say ‘he is not like that.’ I never wanted to be Kapil Dev, let me be Hardik Pandya. I am good at being Hardik Pandya. I have reached here till now, I have played 40 ODIs and now 10 Test matches being Hardik Pandya not Kapil Dev. So, they are great at their era. Let me be Hardik Pandya, let’s stop comparing me with anyone. I will be happy,” said Pandya while interacting with the media after the end of the day’s play.

Hardik went on to speak about Ishant’s role as a senior member in the side. England were 46/0 at lunch on the second day and Ishant started the damage for the English batters as he drew the first blood sending Alastair Cook when the scorecard read 54 and then other Indian pacers took over and effect a collective damage for the hosts.

“Big role, actually, he (Ishant) even told me to talk about it in the press conference,” Pandya laughed.

“Me and Ishant keep talking about the game, I would love to improve my game. As a bowling unit we keep talking because the captain has a lot on his plate. So, as a bowling unit we need to step up and think in our way as well, how to make life difficult for the batsman. He was telling me ‘don’t go for the wickets; you have the talent. If you bowl in the right areas, you are going to get wickets,” Pandya informed.

Pandya rated his recent performance with the ball higher than the first Test century that he scored against the Lankans in his third Test match in Sri Lanka last year.

"I am happier with taking five-wicket haul than scoring a hundred. I have taken very few five-wicket hauls, I think this is the second of my life. And it has come at a very important place so I am very happy," said an elated Pandya.

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