No comparisons with Kapil: Pandya

All-rounder Hardik Pandya has said that comparisons with Indian legend Kapil Dev are unwarranted and that he should be left alone to perform on the basis of his capabilities.

Pandya took career-best figures of 5-28 as England were bowled out for 161 in reply to India's 329.

The all-rounder also took on his critics saying he doesn't play for them.

"Comparisons are fine. But the problem with this (comparison) is that all of a sudden when something goes wrong and they are like he is not that. I have never wanted to be Kapil Dev. Let me be Hardik Pandya. I am good at being Hardik Pandya, and I have reached here till now - played 40 ODIs and 10 Tests being Hardik Pandya, not Kapil Dev.

"They have created their era, let me be Hardik Pandya. Let's stop comparing me with anyone. I will be happy if you don't," he said yesterday after a game-changing performance.

Pandya ran through the England line-up after Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah were unable to hit the right lengths.

"I don't play for them (critics). They are getting paid for saying things which I don't even want to know or care. I play for my country. I am doing the right thing. My team is happy with me, nothing else matters," he said, aiming his guns at the recent criticism that has come after defeats in Birmingham and Lord's.

He said that nothing had changed from the previous matches, whilst also commended the efforts of Ishant Sharma who took 2-32 and revealed that he shares a great chemistry with the seasoned pacer.

"We were bowling the same length that we were bowling in the other games as well. It's just that we were getting enough swing and obviously the situation was such if they played a bad shot it would be India on the up again. So we had the cushion of having runs under the belt," he said.

"If you see the other two games I have done the same thing (bring variations in wrist and grip position). It's just that today I got the wickets, that's it. I feel that with my bowling style it is important to it because they will get used to it if I come and bowl with the same length.

"I don't swing both ways that much, and my outswing is my main ball so that's why I keep on using. It makes difficult for them to get it exactly where I am bowling," he added.

Last year in Sri Lanka, Pandya had scored his maiden Test hundred at Pallekele. He said that the five-wicket haul gave him more pleasure.

"I am happier with taking a five-wicket haul than scoring a hundred. I have taken very few five wicket hauls. I think this is the second of my life, and it has come at a very important place/juncture so I am very happy," said the all-rounder.