A talented cricketer can only realize his full potential when he has the full backing of the team management and that's why Irfan Pathan has lauded Indian captain Virat Kohli for believing in all-rounder Hardik Pandiya not only in recent series against Australia but since he emerged his talent. The all-rounder Pandya, who started playing for India since last year, has raised high expectations just like his senior Baroda teammate Irfan Pathan did nearly 14 years ago when he made his debut against Australia in December 2003. "It is great to see players being backed. Sometimes, you always wonder, players, who were not backed enough and could have otherwise had a longer career,"

"For any player's rise, not just Hardik's, the backing of captain plays a huge role. Kedar (Jadhav) for example was doing a fabulous job not only with the bat but with the ball also in domestic cricket for so many years but he got the backing only under Virat," said Pathan, who last played for India in 2012.

"Virat is backing all the youngsters, not only one or two. If you have the backing of captain and team management, the player will perform well".

Some of the experts including chairman of selectors MSK Prasad feel that Pandya has the perspective to become the next Kapil Dev.

However, Pathan, who has seen Pandya since the latter's junior cricket days, feels that comparisons at best should be avoided.

"I think he will be the first Hardik Pandya! Let's not compare him with anyone. Let's give him some time. Let's not push too much pressure on him. Let him play freely because that way growth is bound to happen,"

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