Hardik Pandya’s maiden ton of 86 balls as No.8 has probably ended India’s hunt for a genuine all rounder. Many from our generation have not seen Kapil Dev in his prime, but the stories or anecdotes, one hears of the legend is similar to that of Hardik Pandya. India have many bowlers who are partly batsman in the waiting, we also have triple centurion Karun Nair not getting a game. Hardik Pandya has been Virat Kohli’s favourite one could say, the way the current skipper has shown faith and believe in the young Pandya. He is young and has a long way to go, but he has in a short span of time showed the entire world that he is not someone who will get over-odd with occasions. He has shown he has what it takes to survive and flourish on the biggest stage. Pandya is also a pacer, who can work up speed to surprise the batsman. One can draw parallels of him with Andrew Flintoff, but Pandya seems to be a better and a more consistent six hitter than the former English all rounder.
Recently, Virat Kohli in a press conference drew parallels of Pandya with Ben Stokes and said that if Pandya works hard enough, he could play a similar role for team India. If that happens, we are in for exciting times. When Hardik Pandya got to his hundred at the stroke of lunch on Day 2 of the 3rd Test, most of us were taken aback, as hitting or slogging of this calibre has been very rarely witnessed.
When he got to his hundred, the camera immediately turned towards the dressing room and the Indian team was up on their feet, applauding Pandya’s knock. Virat Kohli, was, of course, leading the cheering bandwagon.
Power packed century
Power packed celebrations
Power packed reception back in the dressing room
Power Pandya!@hardikpandya7
India finished their first innings with 487. Sri Lanka is suffering at 73 for 4. India is looking strong to make the whitewash happen, which will be their first on foreign soil.
