‘Go back and read what I said about Pandya,’ Michael Holding clears his stand on the Indian all-rounder

The former West Indian cricketer Michael Holding received a lot of flak for his recent comments on Hardik Pandya but Holding still backed his statement asked people to go back and read or listen to what he said about Pandya.

After India’s horrific performance in the first two Tests against England, Holding lashed the Indian players and especially Pandya who is in the team as an all-rounder. Holding said that he doesn’t consider Pandya as the next Kapil Dev and the youngster is not a Test all-rounder material.

However, in the third Test, Pandya picked a five wicket haul and then slammed a fifty to play a vital role in India’s win. This performance made fans criticize Holding for his comments. But the West Indian fast bowler clarified his statement by saying that he was more critical of the people who told him that Pandya is the next Kapil Dev and not Pandya himself.

The West Indian legend was trolled heavily by fans after the third Test.

Michael Holding before the series “ I would not take Bumrah in England” 5 wickets for him in his first match. Before this match “Pandya is not ready to be all rounder” 5 wickets and a quick 50. Can you please keep your statements to yourself Mr.Holding ? @SPNSportsIndia #ENGvIND

— Abhi Panchal (@iamabhi1909) August 22, 2018

Michael Holding:

"Kohli isn't a great batsman since he failed in England"

"Pandya isn't an all rounder"

"Bumrah isn't a new ball bowler"

"Rohit Sharma isn't talented"

"Sachin and Dhoni are overrated"

"Ashwin cannot take wickets outside India"

"Ravi Shastri is a good coach pic.twitter.com/HINNibFF9T

— Sharique (@Jerseyno93) August 22, 2018

The former pace bowler also appreciated the Indian all-rounder for his attitude. Holding stated that he read somewhere that Pandya said that he wants to be a Hardik Pandya and doesn’t want to be known as the new Kapil Dev. According to Holding this is the right attitude.

Holding further explained the evidence behind his comments on Pandya. He pointed out that in the first Test, Pandya bowled only ten overs and only 17 in the second Test and he didn’t get a lot of runs as well. Hence he believed Pandya as not yet there in terms of Test all-rounder.