Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman on Thursday stated that the reason for India not producing a genuine all-rounder like Kapil Dev is that players having too much workload, reported PTI. 

“It’s a very difficult role being an all-rounder. Kapil paaji was someone who could take wickets and score runs. He was the ultimate match-winner for India. But with the amount of workload nowadays, it’s very, very difficult,” said Laxman during a YouTube launch of a book written by Boria Majumdar at “Tata Literature Live Sports Yatras”.

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Laxman added, “There were some glimpses from some players, because they were focusing a lot on both the skills, ultimately with the amount of workload and matches the Indian team plays in three formats, it’s very difficult to manage.

“That player who has the ability to become a genuine all-rounder, unfortunately, gets injured and he has to compromise or he has to take a decision on either batting or bowling,” said the former India batsman.

Coming from a lengthy layoff due to back surgery, current India all-rounder Hardik Pandya did not bowl for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last season in the UAE. In the One-day International (ODI) series against Australia, Pandya bowled five overs but could not appear until the final test match of the tour.

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Pandya did not play in the four-match Test series against England earlier this year. He bowled in the subsequent T20I series but did not do so in the first two ODIs against England. He returned to bowling duties in the final ODI. He has also not bowled for MI in the ongoing IPL season so far.

Laxman also said that it was “not right to compare any sort of all-rounder with the legendary Kapil”.

“I just feel that there can be only one Kapil. It (comparison) will put undue pressure on the player. There can be only one MS Dhoni, or one Sunil Gavaskar.” Laxman also backed Rishabh Pant to be India’s first choice wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup at home in October-November.

“India is spoilt for choices. The way Sanju Samson has batted, kept and led Rajasthan Royals (in ongoing IPL), even though he did not have too much of experience (in captaining) a side.