Virat Kohli heaps praises on Hardik Pandya, says he is rare talent

For long, the Indian cricket team struggled to find a seam bowling all-rounder. But when Hardik Pandya happened to the team, that issue was addressed. Although he has played only 8 international One-Day games in his career thus far, he has proved his place in the team and has especially earned the trust of captain Virat Kohli, who has called him an ‘asset’ for the Indian Cricket Team.

Hardik was exceptional during the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League as well, and he continued that form into the Champions Trophy where India look the favourites to defend their title. Kohli, speaking to media on the eve of India’s next clash against Sri Lanka, further said that it is difficult to find someone who both bowls and bats brilliantly.

“He (Hardik) is a real asset for Indian cricket, I would say. It’s very hard to find a guy who can almost touch 140 kph and strike the ball the way he does. And he can bat through the innings as well,” Kohli said. “We saw that in the practice game (80 no off 54 balls vs Bangladesh). So if you give him 16, say 17 overs to bat, he can do that job for you as well.”

Next big thing in Indian cricket 

Not stopping just there, Kohli also said that if Pandya gets the support he deserves, he will make a big name for himself in Indian cricket in the coming years. It is difficult to find so much talent in a 23-year-old, the skipper said.

“If he gets the kind of support that a player like him should get, I think he could go down as one of the most accomplished Indian cricketers in times to come. He is superb in the field, superb with the ball, brilliant with the bat. So as I said, very hard to find a guy like that,” Kohli stated.