Virat Kohli reveals the reason why Hardik Pandya got selected in the Indian team

Virat Kohli reveals the reason why Hardik Pandya got selected in the Indian team

Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya

Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya
Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya produced yet another match-winning performance during the ongoing limited-overs series against Australia. He smashed 42* runs off just 22 deliveries to clinch a high-scoring game for his side at the SCG. 

Cricket experts from all over appreciated Pandya’s efforts for the national side during the second T20I. Current Indian skipper Virat Kohli also hailed the all-rounder’s performance while finishing the game in a winning cause. He recalled the time when Hardik Pandya made it to team India in 2016. Kohli told that his finishing skills were the reason behind his entry to the playing XI.

“The reason was Hardik coming into the team in 2016 was pure ability. He has raw talent. And now he realises that this is his time, the next 4-5 years, to be that finisher, that bankable player that can win you games from anywhere,” Kohli said during the post-match presentation ceremony after India’s six-wicket win on Sunday.

Also Read | India vs Australia: “If the team wins, it’s the happiest feeling,” says Hardik Pandya after match-winning knock

“His plans are right, and I’m glad to see that. He plays with all his heart, and he certainly got that competitive nature about him and also has the skill to execute that at the highest level.”

The whole team took their opportunities: Kohli

Indian Cricket Team

Virat Kohli lauded the entire squad for stepping up in the team’s victory in the T20I series. Winning the T20Is in the absence of experienced players like Rohit and Bumrah, made this victory special for the skipper. 

“We’ve played as a team in T20 cricket. The fact that we don’t have Rohit and Bumrah, our established white-ball players, in and still doing well makes me happy,” Kohli explained.

“Everyone has played 14 games at least, recently – so they know what their plans are. We just kept them down to a total which we thought was quite chaseable with the short boundary. It’s contributions from the whole team that make you feel better because young players are taking their opportunities.”

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