Ishant Sharma lacks the ability to provide breakthroughs: Kapil Dev

'More discipline needed'

Asked what Ishant needs to do in order to break partnerships on batting tracks, Kapil said he expects the lanky fast bowler to be more disciplined.

"One needs to bowl better, consistently bowl a better line and length. It's not about bowling two very good deliveries in an over but you have to bowl five good balls. Then only you can pick up more wickets."

Recently chairman of selectors MSK Prasad spoke about the search for 'Next Kapil Dev' which is on for the last 22 years since he retired from Test cricket with 434 wickets and 5000 plus runs in Test cricket.

'Difficult for all-rounders'

With Hardik Pandya looking set for a Test debut as an all-rounder, Kapil said it is difficult to have equal success in both departments considering the amount of cricket that that Indian team plays nowadays.

"Today's cricket is too demanding. There is bound to be injuries. You play 10 months in a year. It's not easy for an all-rounder to continue playing and performing in both departments."

Ask him about Hardik Pandya being considered the next Kapil Dev, he answered: "You don't have to find somebody. Every player will come with his own ability to make his own name. Can India find another Sachin Tendulkar, another Sunil Gavaskar?"

"I think everybody comes out with his own performance and personality. It is very difficult to start looking for somebody. My idea is that you should pick the best player around and make him a better player."

(PTI)