Hardik Pandya, Indian cricket's next big superstar got a massive endorsement from one of cricket's finest commentator and analyst, Australian Ian Chappell. 

“Hardik Pandya is potentially the fast-bowling all-rounder India have craved since Kapil Dev retired,” Chappell said in an article for espncricinfo. 

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“Pandya is a huge hit with the fans and was partly responsible for India dominating Australia in the recent ODI series. However, his biggest influence on the team could come in the Test arena. A player like Pandya, who has the ability to bat in the top six and also produce deliveries clocked at 140kph, gives a Test side the flexibility that leads to success under all conditions. It affords India the opportunity to field a balanced attack of five bowlers no matter what the conditions,” he further added.

Chappell's comments came after Australia was humbled 4-1 by India in the recently concluded ODI series. The T20 series was drawn as the last game was abandoned due to rain. 

One of the many positives for India over the past few months has been Hardik's ability to come up the batting order and take the bowling attack to the fences. He has been instrumental in India's plans to play with five bowlers and that has lent skipper Virat Kohli some room to try out different combinations without sacrificing a lot of resources.

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India is currently building a healthy squad of 15-20 players who will be a part of the long-list for the 2019 World Cup. Pandya will definitely be one of the major prospects for the Indian team; however, he will have to prove his worth in hostile conditions away from home in order to cement his place. Chappell reiterated the need for players like Pandya to turn up and perform in hostile conditions in order to be successful at the international level.

“The other challenge Pandya will face - especially in Australia - is the needling high-profile players receive from the crowds. This can have the effect of being either an inspiration or an imposition, and the way Pandya handles the intense barracking will contribute to either his success or failure,” Chappell said.

Comparing Pandya to Kapil Dev is a big compliment for the youngster and only time will tell whether he can really justify that comparison. In that sense, it will be interesting to see how he performs in conditions away from home.