'I'm really thankful to Virat Kohli': Hardik Pandya credits ex-India captain after scoring half-century in 3rd ODI against Windies

Team India registered their second-biggest ODI win against the West Indies on August 2 (Tuesday) at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba in Trinidad and clinched the three-match series by a margin of 2-1.

SportsTak

• Wed • 02 Aug 2023

Team India registered their second-biggest ODI win against the West Indies on August 2 (Tuesday) at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba in Trinidad and clinched the three-match series by a margin of 2-1. Hardik Pandya-led Men in Blue registered an emphatic 200-run victory in a do-or-die game. Stand-in skipper Hardik played an attractive knock of 70 not out in 52 balls and found form with the bat after struggling during the initial part of his innings.

After the match, Hardik credited ex-skipper Virat Kohli for helping him find form with the bat. Hardik revealed Kohli's advice which came in handy.

"I had a very wonderful chat with Virat a couple of days back, and the kind of input he gave me, he has seen me throughout the years. It's been almost seven or eight years of international cricket and he has seen me from day one. He had some pointers which really helped me. He just wanted me to spend some time on the crease and get used to the 50 or game as well because we have played so many T20 formats and yeah, that kind of stayed in my mind and I was just waiting for the opportunity. I'm really thankful to him as well to kind of share that experience with me," Hardik said at the post-match presentation.

Captain Rohit Sharma and Kohli missed the second straight game of the series as India handed chance more chances to youngsters. Hardik spoke about the importance of giving young players exposure on the big stage as well as rewarding others who have performed well in limited opportunities.

"Virat and Rohit are a very integral part of the team. And, you know, obviously, this was very important for someone like Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) to get a game or Axar to get a game because they've been playing cricket for so many years, they know how exactly all these situations have been. So kind of giving them the youngsters exposure and kind of making sure that if we want to check something, we have the opportunity to do it," Hardik said.

India and West Indies will now lock horns in a five-match T20I series which is scheduled to begin on August 3.