Hardik Pandya not an 'all-rounder', won't become Kapil Dev overnight: Harbhajan Singh

Mumbai: Harbhajan Singh has been vocal in his criticism of Team India after they went 2-0 down to England in Test series with a meek display at Lord’s in the second Test, losing by an innings and 159 runs.

Hardik Pandya who has often been compared to former India captain Kapil Dev has not lived up to expectations despite multiple opportunities. However, Harbhajan feels that ‘all-rounder’ tag should be taken out from the Baroda youngster.

“He (Hardik Pandya) hasn’t got many runs as a batsman and the captain doesn’t seem to have confidence in his bowling. If he doesn’t bowl in these conditions then things will only get difficult for him and the Indian team in the future,” the off-spinner was quoted as saying by AajTak.

The veteran Indian bowler further compared Pandya to the likes of his English counterparts - Ben Stokes, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes – to show he is still lacking on multiple fronts.

“We have to remove the all-rounder tag from him as an all-rounder contributes in both the departments as Stokes, Curran did in the first Test and now Woakes has done at the Lord’s. The same is expected of Hardik Pandya, he cannot become Kapil Dev overnight!” Harbhajan added.