Ian Chappell: Hardik Pandya might be the next Kapil Dev India have been craving
Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell believes that Indian allrounder Hardik Pandya has the perfect combination of skills and consistency, because of which his confidence has soared. Chappell also feels allrounders like Pandya have the ability to change the game and inspire their team mates.
Hardik Pandya can be the potential fast-bowling allrounder India have been craving since Kapil Dev retired, thinks legendary Ian Chappell.
The fans are already in awe of his performances and he was partly responsible for India's victory over Australia in the recent ODI series. However, the Test arena is where the team will be need to be influenced.
Pandya has the ability to bat in the top six and also produce deliveries clocking 140kph, which gives a Test side the flexibility to succeed under diverse conditions. Owing to that, India gets the chance to field a team that leads to success under all conditions.
"Pandya not only has the skill to perform the role successfully but now that he is achieving consistency at international level, his confidence has soared," wrote Chappell on Cricinfo.
Moreover, Pandya is not afraid to experiment and consequently his bowling is likely to be effective under a variety of conditions. These qualities enable allrounders to change the course of a game quickly and in doing so, inspire their team-mates.
But the journey is not without challenges, and Pandya will face further obstacles, especially in hostile international tours like Australia, considering the constant needling high-profile players receive from the crowds, and the way he handles it will make or break him.
For inspiration, Pandya will have to look to the journey of former star Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad, who was constantly heckled in Australia, but this only made him more determined. Eventually Miandad was accorded with the highest Australian sporting compliment: "He's a bloody annoying opponent but we'd love to have him on our side." Current Indian captain, Virat Kohli may also be in the line to receive such a compliment in the near future.
Chappell also compared Pandya to Ben Stokes.
"With his flamboyant style, Pandya reminds me a little of the electrifying England allrounder Ben Stokes - the outstanding and highly combative cricketer on the field rather than the citizen with a propensity for self-destruction off it," said Chappell.
Stokes has already done a lot at Test level, while Pandya has enough potential to emulate these achievements at that level. Chappell used a famous statement of radio commentator Johnny Moyes to describe the players. Moyes described South Australia's captain and ultra-aggressive opener saying - "We all know Les Favell. Some days he does and some days he doesn't. Well, today he did." Fans always expect a lot from players like Stokes and Pandya and hope they get the chance to boast: "Well, today he did."
Pandya plundered three successive sixes from the bowling of legspinner Adam Zampa in Chennai in the ODI series against Australia and India won the game after being in a precarious position when Pandya joined MS Dhoni at the crease.
In other games, Pandya made substantial contributions which can be classed as match-winning. If this continues to be the case, Pandya will not only be regarded as a top-class allrounder, he'll also improve India's chances of winning worldwide.
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