WI vs IND 2023: He wanted me to spend some time in the middle – Hardik Pandya thanks Virat Kohli for valuable tips

India’s stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya was delighted after the team’s comprehensive 200-run win against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad on Tuesday. Pandya lauded the youngsters, who stood up to the challenge in a must-win game in the absence of veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The all-rounder, who had returned with only 12 runs in the first two ODI matches, was finally able to get a decent score. Pandya added the finishing touches to India’s score as he smashed 70 runs off just 52 balls with the help of four fours and five sixes.

Ergo, Pandya played a key role in helping India post a gargantuan score of 351 runs on the board after Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and Sanju Samson all scored fine fifties for the visitors. Pandya gave his gratitude to veteran batter Virat Kohli, who wanted the all-rounder to spend some time in the middle and take the innings deep.

Hardik Pandya said after the win, “Virat and Rohit are integral parts of the team. But it was important to rest them so that people like Ruturaj Gaikwad could get a chance. It was about giving opportunities to youngsters. I took it deep intentionally, wanted to have some time out in the middle. Had a great chat with Virat before the game, he wanted me to spend some time out in the middle and get used to the 50-over format. Really thankful for him to share that experience with me.”

Pandya also showered praise on the young Indian team who delivered in a must-win game when they were put under pressure after a loss in the second match of the series.

Pandya added, “It’s a special win. To be honest, I look forward to these kind of games as a captain where there is something on the line. This was more than an international game. We knew what was at stake and there would be a lot of disappointment if we lost. The boys showed great character. They enjoyed it as well, in pressure situations it’s important to enjoy it as well.”

The Indian skipper Pandya added that posting a big score was crucial and the match was over in the Powerplay overs when the West Indies lost three early wickets with Mukesh Kumar doing all the damage.

Pandya concluded, “Once you hit one ball and get into a rhythm things are very different. The ball was doing just a bit. Scoring 350 was always crucial. When you have a total like that, batters chase the ball and if luck is on your side, batters will nick it. A couple of really good catches by Gill. West Indies woke up very late and there was that partnership that took it to the 34th over. The game was kind of over in the powerplay itself.”

Pandya will now lead the Indian team in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies.