Hardik Pandya talked openly about the pep talk he gave Virat Kohli following India’s rout of the West Indies in the third one-day international. In the recently finished One Day International (ODI) series, Team India decided to rest senior batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the second time, therefore it fell to stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya to lead the Men In Blue to victory. In addition to leading his team in the series finale, Hardik performed a brilliant knock in the third ODI to help India humiliate the West Indies at the Brian Lara Stadium on Tuesday. Read on to know more about Virat Kohli’s pep talk.
Did you realise? Before India’s match against the West Indies in the series finale, Pandya contacted Kohli. In the third ODI against the West Indies, Pandya successfully took over as captain of India after the former Indian captain gave him some encouragement. Stand-in captain Pandya reflected on India’s remarkable victory over Shai Hope. And company in the third ODI and shared that he and Kohli had a great conversation before the series finale in Trinidad.
“I recently had a lovely conversation with Virat, and I can tell from his advice that he has known me for a long time. He has known me since the beginning of my international cricket career. Which has been close to seven or eight years. Also, he merely asked that I practise my 50-over game and spend some time at the crease. He had some excellent advice. That has kind of stuck with me,” Pandya added.
Virat Kohli’s pep talk:
Pandya oversaw India’s decisive victory over the two-time world champions when Kohli and Rohit were out due to injury. The replacement captain played a fun knock of 70 off just 52 balls. To ensure that Rohit-less India amassed a mammoth score of 351-5 in 50 overs, the star all-rounder remained undefeated. In response, the hosts folded for a pitiful score of 151 in 35.3 overs. And the West Indies were destroyed by the bowling attack led by Shardul Thakur.
Pandya continued, “I was simply waiting for the chance, and once I found my groove, I could start. The situation changes significantly as I remove one ball from the centre. Throughout my career, I have witnessed that.” The forthcoming five-match series between India and the West Indies will be captained by all-rounder Pandya. On Thursday, Pandya’s Team India will play the hosts in the first T20I at the same location.
So, this was all about Virat Kohli’s pep talk to Hardik Pandya. Also read, Virat Kohli’s brother Vikas Kohli networth is 1000 Crore rs.
