Only time will tell if Hardik Pandya becomes genuine all-rounder: Kapil Dev

Nowadays, in every second match, Hardik Pandya does something new to show his potential as an all-rounder. For instance, in the Cape Town Test against South Africa that ended today, he had a brilliant outing with both the bat and the ball where he staged a fight back with 93 runs in the first innings and scalped a total of 3 wickets.

He certainly has the ability but only time will tell if he would go on to become a genuine all-rounder, said former India captain Kapil Dev, considered as the country’s best ever all-rounder of all-time. On being asked if Pandya can emerge as a genuine all-rounder for India, he said, “Time will tell, wait for some time. He has the ability.”

“The team has to see the right combination, that’s it. When you have an all-rounder, that is always good for the captain, he has the option,” Kapil added.

They are a good unit

The 59-year-old, a veteran of 131 Tests and 225 ODIs, today heaped praise on the current crop of Indian cricketers, including the pace battery which is being hailed as one of the best India has produced. On the performance of Indian bowlers in the ongoing South African tour, Kapil insisted on being patient and giving them time.

However, he didn’t want to single out any individual among the Indian bowlers while praising and encouraged believing in teamwork.

“They are very good, give them time, they will do far better than this what they are already doing. They are a good unit now.”

“When you are playing, you play like a team, don’t say he is better and he is not better, that way we spoil the team. Everybody has to play his role and everybody has to work hard,” Kapil said, as reported by the Indian Express.

He further explained, “In football, they say people who score the goal they are not the only people … there are people who give pass, they are also very important. Likewise, in cricket too, each individual team member has a role to play. Cheteshwar Pujara who made the bowlers tired, those are more important player than somebody who comes and gets quick 100 runs or 200 runs.”