Virat Kohli backs all-rounder Hardik Pandya to become India's Ben Stokes

[Abdullah719]

(Reuters) - All-rounder Hardik Pandya has the potential to become India's Ben Stokes and improve the balance of the side, captain Virat Kohli said after the 23-year-old's encouraging test debut in the win against Sri Lanka.

England's Stokes is widely regarded the best fast-bowling all-rounder in the world with his match-winning prowess with both bat and ball.

"When you play away from home, one guy (all-rounder) gives you a lot of balance, and I think Hardik can be that guy going ahead, specially playing so much cricket away from home," Kohli told reporters after India's 304-run win on Saturday.

"If he grows in confidence -- you see someone like Ben Stokes, what he does for England. Brings in great balance as an all-rounder. I see no reason why Hardik Pandya can't become that for India."

In his first innings in tests, Pandya scored 50 off 49 deliveries, his knock studded with five fours and three sixes.

The medium paceman took one wicket in Sri Lanka's first innings but looked more dangerous during a hostile spell in the second when he peppered the hosts' batsmen with short deliveries.

"First innings, he didn't get the opportunity to bowl much but I think in the second innings, he bowled really nicely on a wicket that wasn't offering much and he kept it in the right areas," Kohli said.

"He used the bouncer well. He bowls around 135 (kilometres per hour), when he bends his back he can go higher. So he is a great asset and I have mentioned this before as well.

"And specially his batting ... He got 50 quickly and that saves you time as well. That gives you another 15 overs to bowl at the opposition. And his fielding is also tremendous."

Pandya is already a regular feature of India's limited-overs side and Kohli backed the all-rounder to shine in the red-ball format and in all conditions.

"I have a lot of faith in him as far as any format is concerned," said the India skipper. "Test cricket, he has got the technique. He is a really good batsman.

"You might not look at it precisely but we understand how much he can bring to the table, and I surely have a lot of faith in him that he will be able to perform on any surface on which he plays."

http://af.reuters.com/article/africaTech/idAFKBN1AF08R-OZASP

 

[Leo23]

stokes is the biggest cricket star after kohli at the moment. some people don't like him but he has the reputation of the best all rounder today and is greatly respected by the opposition.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

His potential is greater than Stokes and he's got that killer instinct Kohli has.

 

[Proactive_]

Become Irfan Pathan first..

 

[msb314]

stokes is the biggest cricket star after kohli at the moment. some people don't like him but he has the reputation of the best all rounder today and is greatly respected by the opposition.

Not certainly not - there are far bigger stars than him right now like ABD, Dhawan, Williamson, Smith etc.

Stokes is decent but nowhere near as good as he is hyped up to be.

 

[joly]

Not certainly not - there are far bigger stars than him right now like ABD, Dhawan, Williamson, Smith etc.

Stokes is decent but nowhere near as good as he is hyped up to be.

Dhawan is no way a star

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Pandya has a long way to go before he can be compared to Ben Stokes. Personally think Ben Stokes is a bit overrated (is a really good allrounder, just blows a bit hot and cold at times, needs to be more consistent with both bat and ball).

In saying this, Pandya does have great potential. Needs to be handled carefully, don't let the stardom go to his head. He has that flare, that X factor that can be extremely beneficial to team India. I'm sure under Kohli he will thrive.

 

[Leo23]

Not certainly not - there are far bigger stars than him right now like ABD, Dhawan, Williamson, Smith etc.

Stokes is decent but nowhere near as good as he is hyped up to be.

im talking about super star status and not whether he deserves it or not. the fact is that if you ask any player today who the best all rounder in the world is he will say stokes.

he was also the most expensive player in the ipl and people like kohli were praising him on twitter a month back and is now praising him again. he is a proper super star and is becoming the kohli of all rounders. there might be better players than him but they do not have his appeal and marketability just like smith williamson root do not have the marketability and status of kohli in spite of better test records...

 

[Suleiman]

Yeah he will come good. People think he is a big hitter only but actually has decent technique. His brother is good too but more of a batsman. Maybe bring him in over LOI specialist Rohit, but seems like Rohit is to Kohli what Shafiq was to Misbah, becoming undroppable at times for no reason at all.

 

[Sachin136]

Yeah he will come good. People think he is a big hitter only but actually has decent technique. His brother is good too but more of a batsman. Maybe bring him in over LOI specialist Rohit, but seems like Rohit is to Kohli what Shafiq was to Misbah, becoming undroppable at times for no reason at all.

Rohit barely gets any chances in the test team. In LOIs, Rohit is India's second best batsman.

 

[Suleiman]

Rohit barely gets any chances in the test team. In LOIs, Rohit is India's second best batsman.

I know. That's why I called him a LOI specialist because he is world class there.

And I vividly remember Kohli vouching for him in tests specifically not too long ago despite his mediocrity in that arena.

 

[msb314]

Dhawan is no way a star

arguably more so than Stokes - partly due to him being a top opener in LOI and due to the huge Indian market.

 

[jusarrived]

Rohit barely gets any chances in the test team. In LOIs, Rohit is India's second best batsman.

NO wonder we suck in ODIs these days

 

[Amir]

I think Pandya's batting will make him a very handy batsmen. Stokes can move the ball in tests but Stokes also plays in England. Pandya won't get that luxury and will be unlucky not to develop that portion of his game more.

 

[jusarrived]

I think Pandya's batting will make him a very handy batsmen. Stokes can move the ball in tests but Stokes also plays in England. Pandya won't get that luxury and will be unlucky not to develop that portion of his game more.

Stokes has more potential as a batsmen , I think he will be soon good enough to walk into any teams purely based on his batting . Pandya though has an edge in bowling .

Overall Stokes is a level above and will be surprised if that ever changes .

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Actually he can become better LOI all rounder than Stokes.

Test cricket is a totally different ball game tho

 

[thehub]

NO wonder we suck in ODIs these days

we suck in LOI because we have idiot as a captain and spineless selectors. Not because of Rohit. He has been doing well in ODI for the past 4 to 5 yrs. fans think that they look smart when they criticize Rohit.

 

[jusarrived]

we suck in LOI because we have idiot as a captain and spineless selectors. Not because of Rohit. He has been doing well in ODI for the past 4 to 5 yrs. fans think that they look smart when they criticize Rohit.

Depends what's "doing well" for you . you can average 100 for all I care if it doesnt help the team , means nothing . Hes an one dimensional hack who plays for his personal milestones .
And Dhawan is a our second best ODI bat FYI

 

[Raf Pragmatic]

stokes is the biggest cricket star after kohli at the moment. some people don't like him but he has the reputation of the best all rounder today and is greatly respected by the opposition.

Sakib baby!

 

[sshakir411]

they both are equally good batsmen...but Stokes is quicker and more lethal with the ball.

 

[Syed1]

I hope Hardik Pandya doesn't become like Ben Stokes.


Otherwise he will be a serious bottler and get smashed for four sixes of the final over a World T20 final and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Or play the worst innings of the tournament in the Champion's Trophy semi-final and then get smashed for 33 off his 3.1 overs.


I hope Pandya has his eyes set on bigger targets than mediocre Stokes.

 

[Abdullah719]

I hope Hardik Pandya doesn't become like Ben Stokes.

Otherwise he will be a serious bottler and get smashed for four sixes of the final over a World T20 final and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Or play the worst innings of the tournament in the Champion's Trophy semi-final and then get smashed for 33 off his 3.1 overs.

I hope Pandya has his eyes set on bigger targets than mediocre Stokes.

Bottler just won a Man of the Match award in a Test match against South Africa. Made a superb hundred and then bowled an excellent spell late on Day 4.

 

[Syed1]

Bottler just won a Man of the Match award in a Test match against South Africa. Made a superb hundred and then bowled an excellent spell late on Day 4.

I was clearly talking about the premier formats of cricket.

 

[Abdullah719]

I was clearly talking about the premier formats of cricket.

No, I was.

 

[Hasan123]

Hardik indeed has high potential. Needs to add more consistency to his game. I rate him very highly, it won't be long before he is impacting games with bat and ball.

 

[aloo paratha]

Don't get why people hate Stokes so much, yeah he's a bit overrated but he's definitely the best fast bowling all rounder in the world, arguably the best all rounder in the world. These same people would take him in their teams right now. I would.

No, I was.

Savage

 

[backfootpunch]

Pandya has a higher ceiling than Stokes. Pandya has more wicket taking options and I think his batting is more versatile to adapting to conditions all over the cricketing world.

Pandya has the killer instinct and a smarter cricketing brain, I think he will finish way ahead.

Stokes is a hype machine overrated and is no better than Moeen Ali who is vastly underrated but actually won more games for England than him.

 

[Railu Katta]

lol pandya is useless. His bowling gets tonked by good batting sides and he's only good against spinners and medium pacers. Comparison to Stokes )

 

[big_gamer007]

He is still young let's see what happens in next 4-5 years

 

[The_Odd_One]

Pandya looks more like Klusener than Stokes.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Good joke. Does he even think whenever he is bowling? Forget Stokes he first has to surpass Robin Singh.

 

[troodon]

Pandya is improving with each game. His bowling is a massive relief for Indian team. He bowls very well and can unsettle batsmen with his pacy bouncers.

His batting is awesome against spin and medium pacers. He has decent defense against super fast guys.

Pandya should be a regular in Test team. In LOI's, he is is a must along with Kuldeep.

Ashwin can stick to Tests. He is a liability he n ODI's and T20's.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Pandya is improving with each game. His bowling is a massive relief for Indian team. He bowls very well and can unsettle batsmen with his pacy bouncers.

His batting is awesome against spin and medium pacers. He has decent defense against super fast guys.

Pandya should be a regular in Test team. In LOI's, he is is a must along with Kuldeep.

Ashwin can stick to Tests. He is a liability he n ODI's and T20's.

Pandya is much improved bowler, still there is lot of room for more improvement. He can be 4th seamer for India for away test matches.

Pandya can also provide bit of batting at the lower order thus allowing Kohli to play 3 specialist frontline seamers.


India should have BK/ Shami/ Yadav/ Pandya as their seam attack against Saffas next year and either of Jadeja or Ashwin as solo spinner.

 

[thehub]

I personally dont like Virat as a captain, especially in Limited overs. I have mentioned it many times here. But I am fine with his Test captaincy, except his selection of Ashwin or Jadeja over Kuldeep. His thinking of having medium pace allrounder in the test team is spot on. India test team badly needs all rounder especially when you play away from SC. fast bowling allrounder would give him 5th bowling option and that would give enough rest in between spells to frontline 4 bowlers (2 pacer/2 spinner or 3 pacer/1 spinner).

 

[ExplicitAI]

Test allrounders are a rare breed to find and Pandya is guaranteed to break into the ICC top 10 Test allrounders rankings. He can pick up wickets and is a decent bowler for India, he's got a more attacking instinct as compared to other Indian bowlers and he'll score higher than other lower order batsman India has, like he's definitely better than Jadeja when it comes to batting.

I doubted him a year ago and laughed at India for picking him due to his mediocre domestic stats but he's a hard working individual and has shown that stats don't mean anything and has shown that he's capable of performing at the international level. He's an electric fielder too. Players like Pandya are like goldust for teams. The only goldust Pakistan has however is Shadab Khan.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Good joke. Does he even think whenever he is bowling? Forget Stokes he first has to surpass Robin Singh.

I think he is more talented than Robin Singh. But agree, let him first be India's Dougie Brown.

 

[Hasan123]

Should have bowled more in this game. Will be a top all rounder IMO.

 

[Leo23]

what a special talent! easily the most exciting all rounder from subcontinent since razzaq

 

[Romali_rotti]

I am starting to see a little bit of Kapil Dev in his big hitting ability... Some of the strokes even look similar..

 

[Ab Fan]

Better than Stokes in terms of potential particularly in limited overs format.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I am starting to see a little bit of Kapil Dev in his big hitting ability... Some of the strokes even look similar..

Yes. He reminded me of Kapil sometime back. I am not talking about technique. Kapil definitely had better one. In terms of attitude he is very similar to Kapil.

 

[Rana]

He can be better and in no time too.

Both 80-85mph bowlers, both hard hitting batsmen, although I feel Pandya is a much cleaner striker of the ball. Both fiery in nature.

 

[Rana]

Just to have an individual like these two in the team is a blessing. Not sure how long it will take Micky Arthur to realise that there is potential in Faheem Ashraf that must be utilised

 

[jnaveen1980]

His biggest asset is the ability to produce gigantic overs. It is a handy skill to have. Hope he keeps improving. Exciting to see hitting massive sixes.

 

[bujhee kom]

Hardik is a good cricketer. His bowling is basic but he is a seriously dangerous power hitter.

 

[Abdullah719]

Kohli praises Pandya after India opening win

Skipper Virat Kohli hailed Hardik Pandya's game-changing performance Sunday after the all-rounder powered India to a 26-run win over Australia in the rain-hit first one-day international.

Pandya smashed a 66-ball 83 and claimed two wickets to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the five-match series at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Chasing a revised target of 164 in 21 overs after rain delays, Australia were frustrated by wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav who shared five wickets between them. They ended on 137-9.

But it was Pandya's gritty 118-run sixth-wicket stand with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who made 79, that lifted India from a top-order collapse to 281-7 in 50 overs.

"He (Hardik) believes in himself. That is the key in international cricket. Hardik's innings was the game-changer. He is smart with the ball as well," said Kohli.

"He possesses all three skills (batting, bowling and fielding) equally and we are lucky to have him," Kohli added.

In reply, the visitors had to wait for two hours to start their shortened chase as constant drizzle threatened to spoil the contest.

Pacemen Jasprit Bumrah and Pandya combined to hurt Australia's hopes of reaching a tricky target with three early strikes including skipper Steve Smith for one.

Bumrah bowled debutant opener Hilton Cartwright for one. He then took a stunning high catch at short fine-leg to send Smith trudging back to the pavilion off Pandya.

Left-arm wrist spinner Yadav also joined the party after getting star opener David Warner caught behind for 25 as Australia's innings fell apart.

"I think 160 with one new ball would have made things a lot easier. When you have two new balls from both ends, as we saw throughout the game it was a new-ball wicket," Smith told reporters.

"They found it hard. Was the same for us. When you are playing 20 overs you don't have great deal of time to make things up...it was difficult in that aspect," he added.

Glenn Maxwell tried to raise Australia's hopes with his 18-ball 39, including three fours and four sixes, but Chahal cut short the batsman's blitz.

Leg-spinner Chahal ended with three wickets in his five overs. Pandya and Yadav took two each.

Match-winning stand

Earlier Australian fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile had made an impact with three wickets including the prized scalp of Virat Kohli for nought.

Coulter-Nile, who returned after a string of injuries that kept him out since June 2016, put India in early trouble at 11-3.

Rohit Sharma, who made 28, and Kedar Jadhav, who scored 40, tried to rebuild with their 53-run partnership before Marcus Stoinis sent the two batsmen back in the pavilion.

Dhoni, who has captained the successful Chennai franchise in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, then made his innings count along with Pandya for company.

"We weren't able to capitalise on a good start. MS and Hardik played very well. Their partnership certainly changed the game, proved to be match-winning," Smith said.

"We started very well with the new ball and that's a positive for us....and today we bowled to the conditions and got the ball in the right areas," he added.

The duo thwarted the Australian bowling with some stubborn batting before Pandya let loose to take the attack to the opposition.

Pandya took a special liking to Adam Zampa's leg-spin as he smashed the bowler for a four and three successive sixes in an over to bring up his third ODI fifty.

Zampa though did get Pandya out for his only wicket in the innings. But the bowler's 10 overs cost his side 66 runs.

Dhoni soon took over to blast some vital runs in the last five overs as he added 72 runs with number-eight Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished unbeaten on 32.

The two teams now head to Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens for the second ODI on Thursday.

http://www.emirates247.com/sports/c...a-after-india-opening-win-2017-09-18-1.659168

 

[Pete Rose]

I saw him play the first time, in the final against Pakistan at CT and followed the coverage in the first game here. Seems hugely impressive. His reach really helps him against the spinners.

 

[maxamax]

He doesn't have to be Ben Stokes, it should be the other way around. Probably the best all rounder in the world. The only gritty player in Indian softies team.

 

[maxamax]

Just to have an individual like these two in the team is a blessing. Not sure how long it will take Micky Arthur to realise that there is potential in Faheem Ashraf that must be utilised

The problem is Faheem is that he can only bat like him at max, while Pandya is a complete package.

 

[moghul]

Pandya has the potential to catch up with Stokes but at the moment Stoke is way ahead, both in batting and bowling. 6 test centuries and 95 wickets is not a joke.

 

[Suleiman]

It's also the attitude he has to go along with his talent. Great mental fortitude to come in when his team was faltering at the point he walked in and I read a report that there was some doubt on his selection. Even the Pak game was a high pressure situation and he just got to work.

Looks like Kohli has found his partner in crime wrt to approach to the game.

 

[karthikc]

Good joke. Does he even think whenever he is bowling? Forget Stokes he first has to surpass Robin Singh.

Sir please..Pandya is the first genuine all rounder we have had since Kapil Dev..Robin Singh was a fake all rounder

 

[Rightarmfast]

Hardik is a good cricketer. His bowling is basic but he is a seriously dangerous power hitter.

Don't agree with that. He has variations, he has guile plus he touches 90mph while bowling too. I dont see that as basic bowling.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Don't think he will ever become a true all rounder, esp in test cricket, however in test matches an Indian lower order of Pandya, Ashwin, Jadeja, B Kumar, AN other is pretty decent. Even if one of Ashwin or Jadeja is replaced by a Kuldeep Yadav or a M Shami then it's still a decent lower order.

Again in odis batting at 7 with a Jadeja or B Kumar to come at 8 or 9 is pretty solid.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Sir please..Pandya is the first genuine all rounder we have had since Kapil Dev..Robin Singh was a fake all rounder

Sir to become an allrounder you have to perform both with the bat and ball. Right now he is playing as a batsman who can bowl some overs. How many times has he completed his quota of overs? All rounders are those who can win matches with bowling or batting. Pandya can win matches with his batting, Jadeja with his bowling but Shakib can do both.

 

[Sidilicious]

Sir to become an allrounder you have to perform both with the bat and ball. Right now he is playing as a batsman who can bowl some overs. How many times has he completed his quota of overs? All rounders are those who can win matches with bowling or batting. Pandya can win matches with his batting, Jadeja with his bowling but Shakib can do both.

At an average Pandya bowls 7.2 overs a match. This is over a 22 match period (excluding 1 abandoned match). That is a considerable amount for the 5th bowler/allrounder, given that an innings does not always last for full 50 overs.

To compare, Bumrah over a period of 23 matches, bowls 8.2 overs a match at an average.

So your statement that he bowls 'some overs' goes out of the park.

But I do agree that he needs to improve to become the AR India needs. But given where he was 1.5 years, when he could only bowl short of a length at 135k, he has made significant improvement. Especially what you thought of him then, and now you are ready to admit he can win a match with the bat.

 

[Gubol123]

At an average Pandya bowls 7.2 overs a match. This is over a 22 match period (excluding 1 abandoned match). That is a considerable amount for the 5th bowler/allrounder, given that an innings does not always last for full 50 overs.

To compare, Bumrah over a period of 23 matches, bowls 8.2 overs a match at an average.

So your statement that he bowls 'some overs' goes out of the park.

But I do agree that he needs to improve to become the AR India needs. But given where he was 1.5 years, when he could only bowl short of a length at 135k, he has made significant improvement. Especially what you thought of him then, and now you are ready to admit he can win a match with the bat.

and Ben Stokes, widely considered the best pace bowling all-rounder in ODI cricket, has bowled around 5.2 overs per match in 61 matches. Pandya not only has bowled more over per match than Stokes, he averages less, has a better economy at a slightly better strike rate. Also, Pandya bowls on unresponsive Indian pitches where as Stokes plays half his Cricket in England which suits his kind of bowling. Even in batting Pandya averages more than stokes at a better much better strike rate.

In Test Matches the comparison is moot as Pandya has only played 3 matches. he will also not get many chance to bowl half the time when India play at home.

There is one form of cricket where they have played more or less equal number of matches, T20s. In Batting Pandya averages slightly better but at a lower strike rate. In Bowling Pandya averages better, with better economy and strike rate. So i would say in T20s he is already atleast with Par with Stokes or even a step ahead

is Pandya as good as Stokes. I don't think he is, YET. but if he keeps his fitness, works hard and keeps his head, he certainly can become as good as Stokes. One of his biggest issues will be that when India plays at home he will be more or less sixth batsman and may end up bowling very less

 

[Sidilicious]

and Ben Stokes, widely considered the best pace bowling all-rounder in ODI cricket, has bowled around 5.2 overs per match in 61 matches. Pandya not only has bowled more over per match than Stokes, he averages less, has a better economy at a slightly better strike rate. Also, Pandya bowls on unresponsive Indian pitches where as Stokes plays half his Cricket in England which suits his kind of bowling. Even in batting Pandya averages more than stokes at a better much better strike rate.

In Test Matches the comparison is moot as Pandya has only played 3 matches. he will also not get many chance to bowl half the time when India play at home.

There is one form of cricket where they have played more or less equal number of matches, T20s. In Batting Pandya averages slightly better but at a lower strike rate. In Bowling Pandya averages better, with better economy and strike rate. So i would say in T20s he is already atleast with Par with Stokes or even a step ahead

is Pandya as good as Stokes. I don't think he is, YET. but if he keeps his fitness, works hard and keeps his head, he certainly can become as good as Stokes. One of his biggest issues will be that when India plays at home he will be more or less sixth batsman and may end up bowling very less

But I also believe his strength is to be the sixth batsman and not a frontline bat. Doing what he has been dong so far with the bat is what we need. If he can add chasing (and closing) to his skill then he will be the perfect no.6/7 that India needs.

As for bowling, he has been able to develop a better slower ball. I haven't seen him bowl in the last few months, but I am not sure that he can swing the ball and bowl Yorkers. If he can add those 2 skills to his bowling, he will become a game changer.

 

[Gubol123]

But I also believe his strength is to be the sixth batsman and not a frontline bat. Doing what he has been dong so far with the bat is what we need. If he can add chasing (and closing) to his skill then he will be the perfect no.6/7 that India needs.

As for bowling, he has been able to develop a better slower ball. I haven't seen him bowl in the last few months, but I am not sure that he can swing the ball and bowl Yorkers. If he can add those 2 skills to his bowling, he will become a game changer.

Yeah, he needs to develop his batting so that, he is consistently able to bat 15 overs in test matches, around 10 overs in ODIs and around 5 overs in T20s. While bowling he should be able to bowl around 15 overs in a test match, may be around 7 to 8 in ODIs and two to three overs in T20s. If he can consistently do that, he will be a top all rounder and he will match Stokes.