Indian skipper Virat Kohli believes that Hardik Pandya, the matchwinner will be key for the team in the next four to five years in all formats of the game. Kohli’s comments come after Pandya produced another fine knock with the bat, scoring 42 not out off 22 balls to guide India home in a stiff chase of 195 and clinch the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three T20I series. He is the inform batsman for the Indian team in the series so far.
Virat Kohli spoke about Hardik Pandya taking his game to the next level in the virtual press-conference. He said that Pandya should look to finish more games for India and become the team’s dependable finisher with MS Dhoni retired.
“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 at the SCG on Sunday.
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Virat Kohli Hails Hardik Pandya
He further hailed Hardik as a team player and praising his skill levels which he thinks are peaking at the moment.
“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” said Kohli.
Hardik himself was pretty impressed with the way he won the game for India. He said that there was no pressure on him with the run-rate increasing at the death.
“I always believe as a cricketer you have to improve with time and I have taken some time but I think things are coming pretty well now. “Now my biggest goal … (is) that I want to finish games where it matters the most” Pandya concluded saying.
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