Hardik can be close to Stokes in two years: Lance

new delhi — A game-changer in his heyday, South African allrounder Lance Klusener foresees India’s Hardik Pandya closing in on someone like Ben Stokes if the team management can be “patient” with him for the next two years at least.

“Among current all-rounders in world cricket, Ben Stokes is right up there. There are a few who have come and gone in recent times as well but certainly, a guy like Pandya, give him a year or two at this level, there is no reason why he can’t be one of the best all-rounders out there,” Klusener told PTI in an interview on Wednesday.

Klusener, who is in the city as senior Delhi team’s consultant coach for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, spoke at length about Pandya’s all-round abilities which have come under the scanner after his largely disappointing show in England.

“I think we must be careful while making comparisons. Everybody wants to compare Hardik to the great Kapil Dev. Hardik is his own cricketer. Of course, he has got some learning to do. I guess Hardik’s success will be based on how much he is able to learn,” Klusener said.

The 1999 World Cup player of the tournament said Pandya has a fine support system to hone him. “I think he is in great hands in that Indian set-up. I think people just need to be a bit more patient with him. I hope he is allowed to grow and develop,” said Klusener.

For someone, who boasts of a highest score of 174 and bowling figures of 8/64 in Test cricket, Klusener feels that it’s a seam bowling all-rounder, who makes the difference in a good team.

“For me, the glue for any team is the seam bowling all-rounder because it gives you a lot more options. I think India have got the right man. It’s just that how he grows and develops himself. It’s easy to criticise but international cricket is tough out there.

“I think Hardik should be given space and allowed to grow. He is going to be that glue for India for a long time,” the 47-year-old said.

Klusener, who represented the Proteas in 49 Tests and 171 ODIs, is confident that in another two years, Pandya will be ready in the next two years if he can work on his weaknesses.

Pandya scored 164 runs in eight innings in England and critics felt that at times he trusted his defensive technique too much. Klusener thinks that someone with natural ability to hit the ball should always try and play his natural game unless he is batting with someone of Virat Kohli’s calibre at the other end.