Following India's 4-1 triumph over Australia in the five-match ODI series, captain Virat Kohli called Hardik Pandya as the biggest asset for Team India. The 23-year old all-rounder scored 222 runs with the bat and also picked up six wickets to emerge as the Player of the Tournament. Pandya's rapid strides in international cricket have earned him wide praise from the former cricketing greats who call him the next big thing in Indian cricket.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag is also mighty impressed with Pandya's all-round abilities and believes the young star has it in him to become the team's upcoming superstar. Speaking on India TV's "Cricket Ki Baat" show, Sehwag 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."
Such words of praise from someone of Sehwag's calibre certainly speaks volumes about the talent Pandya possesses.
After winning the series against the world champions, head coach Ravi Shastri compared Pandya to young Yuvraj Singh or to the likes of legendary Kapil Dev who served Indian cricket for a very long time.
(Also Read: Hardik Pandya can clear any ground in the world, says Ravi Shastri)
Sehwag said it is still early days for the young Baroda all-rounder to be mentioned in same breath with these legends. However, he thinks if Pandya manages to remain consistent for India at the highest level, he can break several records by the time he finishes his career.
"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," he added.
In the first ODI against Australia in Chennai, Pandya played a crucial knock of 83 to bail India out from a precarious position of 87/5 to 281/7. He along with MS Dhoni conjured an important 118-run stand to take India to a fighting total. Later, India won the match by 26 runs (DLS method) as Pandya went on to shine with the ball (2/28) to be named the 'Man of the Match'.
Sehwag believes it is Pandya's utility as a floater and his ability to make complete use of the second powerplay which makes him a dangerous customer in 50-over cricket.
"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," he said.
