Don't compare Hardik Pandya with Kapil Dev: Binny

Bengaluru, February 22: Former India all-rounder and selector Roger Binny said time has come to stop comparing Hardik Pandya with the legendary Kapil Dev.

"As a batsman, he's no patch on Kapil Dev. Kapil got hundreds in first-class cricket before he broke into India's Test side. Pandya hasn't scored runs in first-class cricket before playing at the top level.

"He has got into the Test team based on his exploits in T20 cricket. Limited-overs cricket is a different ball game altogether - you can get runs in those formats because the field is spread out," said Binny.

India clinched the six-match ODI series 5-1 against South Africa, but Pandya's performance in the in the series was not up to the desired level - 26 runs in six matches at an average of 8.66 and claimed four wickets.

Binny, who played 27 Tests and 72 ODIs for India, said Pandya was extremely fortunate to be viewed as an all-rounder despite limited contributions.

"He's lucky to get viewed as an all-rounder. He doesn't contribute with the bat. He is chipping in with the ball, and that's why he's been able to keep his place in the team. He's trying to hit everything from ball one, which is impossible. He tries to play too many strokes and doesn't look to settle down," Binny was quoted as saying by the Times of India.