Hardik credits Virat Kohli for impressive performance in 3rd ODI

Tarouba: India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya credited valuable batting inputs from former skipper Virat Kohli for his stupendous performance in the third and final ODI against West Indies. After being dismissed for 5 and 7 in the first two ODIs against the West Indies, Pandya made a remarkable comeback in the decider, scoring an unbeaten 70 off 52 balls studded with four fours and five sixes to take India to 351/5. After this the bowlers did their job and India bundled out the hosts for 151 runs in 35.3 overs to seal the series 2-1.

Pandya said in the post-match presentation, ‘I had a very good chat with Virat a few days ago and the kind of inputs he gave me, he has seen me for so many years. It’s been about seven or eight years in international cricket and he has seen me from day one. He had some pointers which really helped me.

Asked what suggestion the veteran batsman gave him, Pandya said: ‘He (Virat) just wanted me to spend some time at the crease and get used to the game of fifty or so as we have played a lot of T20 formats and Yes, it was settled in my mind and I was just waiting for the opportunity. I am really thankful to him too that he shared that experience with me. Pandya backed the team management’s decision to rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for two consecutive matches and stressed on the importance of providing valuable opportunities and experience to young players.

He said, ‘Virat and Rohit are a very integral part of the team. And, you know, obviously, it was very important for someone like Rutu to get the game or Akshar to get the game because they have been playing cricket for so many years. They know what all these situations have really been like. That way these youngsters are being given experience and it is being ensured that if we want to test something, we have the opportunity to do it. Will take on West Indies in five T20 matches.