Ben Stokes is number one all-rounder, Hardik Pandya still not in top ten – Irfan Pathan

 

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels Hardik Pandya has a lot of catching up to do to be rated among one of the best all-rounders in the world. Pathan rated England’s talisman Ben Stokes as the number one all-rounder whereas stated that Pandya is still not in the top all-rounders in any format if we consider the rankings.

Ben Stokes is in the form of his life and he is currently the number one Test all-rounder whereas he is placed at second place in the ICC ODI all-rounders list. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya is positioned at the 12th place in the ICC ODI all-rounders list. In fact, Pandya hasn’t played a lot in the recent past due to his back injury.

Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan feels India needs an all-rounder who can win matches for the team. Pathan believes India ticks the right boxes as a batting and bowling unit and if they can have a match-winning all-rounder, it would make them a force to reckon with.

Pathan feels Hardik Pandya has the potential to become one of the best all-rounders in the business but he needs to give consistent performances.

“Ben Stokes has become the number one all-rounder in the world by winning matches for England. What I wish for Team India is to have an all-rounder who wins games for India,” Irfan Pathan told cricket.com.

“Unfortunately, Hardik Pandya is not there in the top 10 (on the rankings) in any format of the game. He has the potential; there is no doubt about it. But what I’m saying is that if we have an all-rounder with that kind of calibre who wins matches, Indian cricket will be invincible”.

There is no doubt that an all-rounder adds the right balance to the team and Ben Stokes has been phenomenal for England in the last 18 months. Stokes has performed at the big stage when the team has been under the cosh.

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya still has a long way to go. Pandya recently made it clear that he wants to concentrate more on the limited overs format as he feels his body might not be ready for the red-ball version after the back surgery.

Pandya will be seen in action while playing for Mumbai Indians whereas Ben Stokes will play for Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming IPL, set to be played in the UAE from September 19.