Irfan Pathan's valuable suggestion will do wonders for Hardik Pandya

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya commenced his Test career with a couple of resounding knocks against Sri Lanka and South Africa after which he was touted to be India’s next Kapil Dev, the World Cup-winning cricketer. However, he couldn’t quite translate his form in the matches thereafter and soon became a recipient of brickbats from the supporters as well as from the pundits.

Recently, he picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests and also scored 52 runs in India’s second innings in their third Test against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Later, he lashed out at his critics and minced no words in saying that he doesn’t aspire to become Kapil Dev. Nevertheless, Baroda-born Irfan Pathan mentioned that Pandya should see the positive aspects of the comparisons.

It added to my confidence than adding to the pressure

“If he stays grounded I am sure we will see him being compared to the legendary Kapil Dev in the times to come. If he (chief selector) says that then it obviously feels good. If someone compares you with such legends, you know. Even if I can be 10 per cent of what he (Kapil Dev) was, I will be pretty happy in my life,” Irfan was quoted as saying in India Today.

Irfan Pathan forayed into international cricket back in 2003 and wielded his magic in all the departments. Soon after, people started drawing his parallels with Kapil Dev. Pathan, who will be a player cum mentor for Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming Indian domestic season, reminisced how the comparisons motivated him to strive hard for better performances.

“Everybody came up to me and I remember being asked this Kapil Dev question. I had done well in Pakistan in 2006, standing up against Shoaib Akhtar with the bat, won the Perth Test match, the World T20 in 2007. It felt like a privilege. It added to my confidence than adding to the pressure,” the 33-year-old cricketer added.

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