Virender Sehwag calls Hardik Pandya "India's upcoming superstar"

Hardik Pandya has attained the coveted position of India’s cricketing poster-boy in recent times. Armed with undying exuberance, indomitable confidence, a staunch bowling arm and swashbuckling batting skills, the youngster has been making headlines and is being touted as the answer to India’s longstanding search for a dependable all-rounder. Veteran Indian batsman, Virender Sehwag in an interview lauded Pandya for his heroics and termed him as the “upcoming superstar”.

23-year-old Pandya made it clear that he’s here to stay with the all-round cricketing abilities he showcased in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia. The first ODI saw him score a blazing knock worth 83 runs, with which he brought his team out of a pickle almost single-handedly. The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli has consistently maintained his unwavering belief in Pandya and it seems to be paying off as the Baroda lad has been raking in runs and wickets in plenty.

Sehwag showers praise on Pandya

Sehwag, while speaking on India TV‘s “Cricket Ki Baat” show said, “I am really impressed with Hardik Pandya’s performance in the series vs Australia. He has completed his quota of 10 overs in every match excluding the last match… the way he has bowled and batted in the entire series is commendable. If he continues to do that in future, I think India’s search for the all-rounder will conclude. I think he is Team India‘s upcoming superstar.”

He further elucidated on what makes the young batsman tick all the right boxes and said, “Pandya is such a player who can be used at any position, he perfectly plays the role of the floater and can bat at No.4, No.5, No.6. He bats at a strike rate of more than 100 which is not an easy thing to do, and the way he bats against the spinners is simply a treat to watch.”

Hardik Pandya still has to go a long way to be compared to Kapil Dev

Comparisons regarding the statistics between Pandya and other all-rounder stalwarts of the game such as Yuvraj Singh and Kapil Dev have been doing the rounds of late. Commenting on the same, Virender Sehwag said, “It is still a long way to go for Pandya to be compared with the likes of Yuvraj or the great Kapil Dev. As both these stalwarts have achieved great success in the cricketing career.”

“It will not be an easy task for Pandya to break the records of Kapil Dev who has achieved so much in his illustrious cricket career. I think if Pandya manages to play as long as Kapil Paaji played for India, it will be a big achievement for the wiry all-rounder. And, I am sure if Hardik plays that long, he will himself break quite a few records on the way,” Viru added.