Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has come up with the reply to legendary Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar for the latter’s remarks on the all-rounder. Shastri said that his view on Pandya is clear that he is the best all-rounder in the shortest format of the game. He further said that there is nothing to be added or subtracted from his statement while everyone is “entitled” to their opinion.

During a chat with Sports Tak, Ravi Shastri said, “I have already tweeted and posted on Instagram that he (Pandya) is the No. 1 all-rounder in this format of the game. What else do you need? I said it two weeks back. What else is there to add or subtract? XYZ can say whatever they want, everyone is entitled to his opinion. My view is clear, which is what I tweeted a couple of weeks ago.”

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Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar had earlier showered praises on Hardik Pandya and went on to compare him with Ravi Shastri. Gavaskar came in support of Hardil to become India’s match-winner at the T20 World Cup 2022. The former Indian skipper further said that the flamboyant all-rounder can emulate Shastri’s exploits from the 1985 World Championship when Shastri scored 182 runs in five matches including five half-centuries and also took eight wickets.

During an interaction with India Today, Sunil Gavaskar said, “I think he (Pandya) could possibly do what Ravi Shastri did in 1985 when Ravi was the outstanding performer with both bat and ball in the entire tournament. Some good catches as well. Hardik Pandya is capable of doing that.”

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Hardik Pandya played a crucial role in India’s opening match of the Asia Cup against Pakistan. The all-rounder first rattled the middle order of Pakistan, returning with the figures of 3/25, and then went on to play a match-winning knock of 33 not out off 17 to help India secure a five-wicket win over Pakistan.