Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener believes Hardik Pandya gave up on Test cricket a bit too early to manage his workload. He also feels the development of seamers has made India a potent force in world cricket.
“He (Pandya) is a fantastic cricketer, and if he can stay fit and continues to bowl 135-plus kmph, he will always be challenging... as one of the best all-rounders in the world,” Klusener said in his first media interaction since taking over as consultant of the Tripura Cricket Association, in Calcutta on Saturday.
Asked if Pandya gave up on Test cricket a bit too early, Klusener said: “Yes, possibly. Test cricket (is) always the pinnacle of testing where you are as a cricketer, and testing yourselves.
“Test cricket hasn’t really changed much from way back but I also understand that times have moved on as well.”
He lauded India’s pace attack and cited that as one of the reasons why they have qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Lance Klusener in Calcutta on Saturday. Santosh Ghosh
“It (spin) has been India’s strength traditionally... But the way the Indian seamers have developed in the last couple of years, that’s why they play in the WTC, that’s why they are one of the best Test sides in the world. They have the attack that can play on any surface.
“Teams in the past would prepare green-top (tracks) so that India won’t be able to compete, but that’s not the case anymore. I think they are now well equipped, whatever the conditions, they will be able to pick the team that will be competitive.”
Klusener further said a fast-bowling all-rounder is not a “dibbly-dobbler” but someone who can clock 135kmph consistently. He also said managing all formats has been tough for them.
“Fast bowling all-rounders need to be bowling 135-plus. I don’t think there would be some dibbly-dobblers that we used to see in England, I don’t think all that (is) effective anymore.
“I honestly believe that a guy like Ben Stokes who bowls 135-plus, those people are still gold in any form of the game,” said Klusener.
