I don’t think I am close to him: Hardik Pandya on comparisons with legendary Kapil Dev

 

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has respectfully denied comparisons with legendary Kapil Dev. Pandya said he will happy if he achieves even five percent of what Kapil Dev achieved in his glorious career. The 27-year-old has been often compared with Kapil Dev and he doesn’t like getting likened with the former Indian captain.

Meanwhile, Kapil Dev had a long illustrious career for the national team and led India to their first World Cup triumph in 1983 despite the team being an underdog.

Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, has impressed with his skills but there is always a question mark on his bowling fitness. Pandya recently led Gujarat Titans to glory in the recently concluded Tata IPL 2022 and he must be high on confidence before the series against South Africa.

“I have very respectfully denied that (comparisons with Kapil Dev) because I don’t think I am close to him. What he did and the era in which he did it, I have always mentioned, that if I achieve even five per cent of what I have done… I have still not achieved that five per cent. So, for me, it’s people and pundits’ jobs to compare,” Hardik said on the SG Podcast.

Pandya added that he is trying to get better with time. The GT captain rated Kapil Dev as the greatest of all time and feels he can’t be compared with him.

“For me, I am just a Hardik Pandya who is trying to get better. I can’t come close to Kapil Dev at the end of the day. He has been the greatest cricketer of all time. The kind of impact that he had on the game… from bowling to batting, and fielding, yeah, the comparisons end from my side. It is still up to people but respectfully I will deny that,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pandya amassed 487 runs in 15 matches at an impressive average of 44.27 and scored his runs at a strike rate of 131.27 in Tata IPL 2022 and thus played a huge role in the success of his team.

Pandya will look to deliver the goods in the five-match T20I series against South Africa as an all-rounder. India’s head coach Rahul Dravid said they are looking forward to making use of Hardik Pandya’s bowling.

Pandya will be determined to prove his bowling fitness in the series against the Proteas. The second T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.