Former India coach compares Hardik Pandya with Kapil Dev ahead of New Zealand series

Hardik Pandya and Kapil Dev (Source: Twitter)

India are looking to start on a clean slate when it comes to the T20I format since their shock exit from the recently concluded 20-20 World Cup in Australia which saw England thrash India by 10 wickets. The Indian bowlers also looked listless as they could pick up a wicket amidst a record opening stand which was set up by Alex Hales and Jos Buttler.

Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the skipper of the T20 side in the absence of the senior players. He has been looked at to take on the mantle of T20 captaincy from Rohit Sharma to manage his workload. Rohit is also on the higher side of 30 and so there might be a captaincy change sooner or later on a full-time basis for the Men in Blue.

Here is what Ravi Shastri said about the influence of Hardik Pandya as captain in a pre-match show - “He has got that flamboyance and that exuberance. So that will reflect on the players in the team. I remember when Kapil Dev was captain. When you have an impact player and when you have allrounder when you have a player who is on the thick of action right through those 20 overs it makes a massive difference. It lifts the spirit of others and inspire others to emulate him. So I'm really looking forward to the way Hardik leads.”

Hardik Pandya leads by example: VVS Laxman

Notably, In the Indian T20 League last year, Hardik led the Gujarat Franchise to a maiden title during his first stint as captain. No one gave a chance to the Gujarat side at the start of the season, but Hardik’s team defied all odds to lift the title with a squad that punched above their weight to deliver an impactful Indian T20 League season.

This is what VVS Laxman who is filling in for Rahul Dravid as a coach for this series in the pre-match press conference said about Hardik Pandya, "He is a fabulous leader. We have seen what he has done in Indian T20 League. I have spent time with him from Ireland. His presence and work ethic are exemplary. He is a players' captain and is approachable. Players confide in him. He leads by example."