India’s talisman all-rounder Hardik Pandya has revealed how legendary Kapil Dev has always motivated him throughout his career.

Pandya received his ODI cap from the World Cup-winning captain in 2016 and the former all-rounder told him that he can do better than what he did for the national team.

Kapil Dev is regarded as one of India’s best seam-bowling all-rounders and the team has been seeking his replacement since he has retired from international cricket. Pandya has shown the skills to go a long way in his career and thus he is often compared with Kapil Dev, which has put high expectations on the all-rounder.

However, Pandya has struggled to get going in the recent past as he scored 127 runs in 11 innings for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021 and scored his runs at an average of 14.11. The right-hander scored his runs at a strike rate of less than 100 and also didn’t bowl any overs due to his fitness issues.

While speaking to The Cricket Monthly, Pandya said: It was special to receive that cap because Kapil Dev gave it to me and told me, “You do better than what I have done. You will succeed. Keep working hard.”

“Before my back surgery, it was very sweet of him to call and say: “Beta, please aap haldi ka doodh peena. Sab theekh ho jayega [Son, drink turmeric milk and everything will be all right]. Take care.”

Meanwhile, Pandya last played a Test match back in 2018 against England. Pandya had recently admitted that he wants to focus on the limited-overs format and his body is not ready for the adversities of Test cricket.

“Test cricket, right now, I have kept on hold for as long as my body does not allow me to. I am focusing on white-ball cricket because a lot of World Cups are coming and I can provide a lot of things in white-ball cricket right now.”

Pandya will play a key role in India’s T20 World Cup campaign and it would be interesting to note whether he will bowl or not. India will play their warm-up match against England today.