Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener believes Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya can be a great all-rounder if he will be guided well.
After mentioning the English cricketer Ben Stokes as the present best all-rounder, Klusener added, “There are a few who have come and gone in recent times as well but certainly, a guy like Pandya, give him a year or two at this level, there is no reason why he can’t be one of the best all-rounders out there.”
Currently, Klusener is the senior consultant coach of Delhi cricket team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He believes that Pandya shouldn’t compare with the great Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev.
Klusener said, “I think we must be careful while making comparisons. Everybody wants to compare Hardik to the great Kapil Dev. Hardik is his own cricketer. Of course, he has got some learning to do. I guess Hardik’s success will be based on how much he is able to learn.”
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Klusener wants people just need to be a patient to allow Pandya to grow up and develop his qualities for the international level.
The former South African all-rounder said, “I think he is in great hands in that Indian set-up. I think people just need to be a bit patient more patient with him. I hope he is allowed to grow and develop.”
“For me, the glue for any team is the seam bowling all-rounder because it gives you a lot more options. I think India have got the right man. It’s just that how he grows and develops himself. It’s easy to criticise but international cricket is tough out there. I think Pandya should be given space and allowed to grow. He is going to be that glue for India for a long time.”
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Klusener believes Pandya’s natural stroke playing abilities should be encouraged while his defensive technique needs a little bit of improvement.
Klusener said, “His defensive technique needs a little bit of work but he is a natural striker of the ball. That needs to be encouraged. We have seen faster scoring by Stokes at the bottom of the line-up. That makes a big difference.
“Maybe Pandya needs to have the technique to defend when someone like Virat Kohli is batting at the other end. I am sure the Indian support staff have identified that weakness. The longer he plays, the longer he will be in that set-up and realise what a great talent he is.
“And you can only take advantage of that great talent, if you give yourself opportunity to get in (get set). That’s one area he needs to pay a little bit of attention.”
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Klusener will not be available for Delhi during the upcoming Ranji season as he will leave the country soon after the completion of the ongoing domestic List A tournament Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, he further added that he will return during the domestic T20 tournament Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, starting 21 February 2019.
Klusener said on that, “For me, coaching in India is probably the ultimate. One of the things I like in India is about response of the players to learning. That’s probably why its best cricketing nation out there. People are keen to learn and listen. When I was offered this job by the DDCA, I jumped at the opportunity. I will be here till October 20 and comeback during Mushtaq Ali Trophy.”
