Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar nullified all the comparisons between Kapil Dev and Hardik Pandya, saying the legendary all-rounder is incomparable as a player like him born once-in-a-century. Gavaskar was not at all amused when asked about the tendency among some experts to compare the two.
During an interview on ‘Aak Tak’, Gavaskar said, “Kapil Dev should not be compared with anyone. He is not just a once-in-generation player but a once-in-a-century cricketer just like Sir Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar. We should not compare him with anyone.”
On the other hand, former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris thinks the reason for Pandya’s underperformance is the burden of expectations, he said, “Everybody expects Pandya to win games. He also tries to deliver to those expectations and ends up doing too many things. Currently, I would just like him to make meaningful contributions in every game like the way Stokes did. If he can do small things right, we would see him taking the next step to becoming a match-winner. “
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Gavaskar is also unhappy with opener Shikhar Dhawan’s approach in Test as he only managed to score 26 and 13 in the first Test against England at Birmingham. The legend explained, “Shikhar simply does not want to change his game. He believes in playing in the same manner which has brought him success until now. You can still get away with such shots in one-day cricket because there aren’t many slips and the push or the edge goes for a boundary through the slip cordon. But in Tests, such shots will only result in a fall of a wicket. Till a player makes a mental adjustment, he will continue to struggle against the red ball in overseas conditions.”
Since India has had conceded a 0-1 lead in the five-match series, Gavaskar said they should play an extra batsman in the second match at Lord’s.
The former Indian skipper elaborated, “I will play one more batsman at Lord’s in the form of (Cheteshwar) Pujara. He has the technique and patience required for a Test match. Whose place he’ll take will depend on the pitch. If the wicket isn’t that green then I will pick him in place of Umesh Yadav and retain Hardik Pandya.”
Chasing 194 for a win, India lost the Birmingham Test by 31 runs after getting all out for 162 on Day 4. He believed India can stage a comeback in London.
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Putting some faith in Virat Kohli and his men, Gavaskar said, “For India to win the Lord’s Test, they need to win the toss and elect to bat. Look what had happened in the third Test at Johannesburg last year when South Africa, batting last against India, collapsed before reaching 200. Most of the teams are struggling to chase even a total anywhere near 200 in the final innings. England too might have struggled if they were chasing in place of India in the first Test at Edgbaston.”
