Virat Kohli hints Hardik Pandya might be Indian cricket’s regular No.4 in ODIs.
Friday, September 29, 2017 IST
Virat Kohli has admitted that Australia’s superb death bowling made the difference as India’s quest to secure 10 consecutive ODI wins was thwarted after they suffered a 21-run loss at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Thursday. The India captain also threw his weight behind Hardik Pandya, who came to bat No. 4.
At 282/4 in the 45th over and with Kedar Jadhav (67) and Manish Pandey (33) going strong, India seemed to be on course to overhaul Australia’s 334/5. However, some key strikes by Kane Richardson and Pat Cummins at crucial times dented India’s progress and Australia snapped their losing streak overseas.
Speaking in the post-match press conference said, “Australia’s bowling in the end was very good. They got breakthroughs at the right times and that stopped our momentum, especially when Kedar and Hardik were batting well. If they had put on 40-50 more, it would have been ideal for us.”
Australia gave away just 31 runs in the final five overs as Steve Smith’s team finally had something to cheer after losing 11 out of their last 13 ODI games overseas.
Pandya’s promotion plan
Hardik Pandya was once again promoted to the number four spot and he continued his aggressive ways by slamming Adam Zampa for two big sixes. The Indian cricket team all-rounder shared a 78-run stand with Kedar Jadhav. Kohli said if Pandya performs consistently in that position, then he could be made a regular in that slot.
“The plan to promote Hardik was to go after the spinner and get the quicks to come early into the game. He did that in Indore and he did it in this game. Hardik has got a solid defence and good technique. He is not just a slogger. If he gains more confidence and if he can understand how to take the game till the end, he might be a regular at that spot,” Kohli said.
Testing bench strength
Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar hailed by Smith as the ‘best death bowlers going around’ after the Indore ODI, were rested for the Bangalore ODI. When asked whether resting these two pacers resulted in lack of discipline and accuracy, Kohli’s reply was clear.
Read | Aaron Finch continues great form on comeback with confident fifty vs India
“You have to try the guys out in some stage. You have to try out the bench strength. You need to give those guys some game time. Umesh bowled well and Shami bowled well. If one plan does not work, then one has to make another plan and execute it well the next time,” Kohli said
Related Topics
Trending News & Articles
Sachin Tendulkar was the pillar of an Indian victory in the Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah in 1998. Tendulkar’s belligerence won India the championship against a fo...
Recently posted . 205K views . 1 min read
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav (Marathi: श्री. खाशाबा दादासाहेब जाधव, January 15, 1926 – August 14, 1984) was an Indian athlete. He is best known as a wrestler who...
Recently posted . 8K views . 60 min read
Asad Rauf, a previous ICC World class Board umpire from Pakistan, kicked the bucket at 66 years old.
Recently posted . 6K views . 0 min read
During the examination, it was uncovered that the CWG Organizing Committee had paid a messed up sum for planning and buys. The underlying evaluation for putting tog...
Recently posted . 6K views . 2 min read
More in Sports
The abolition of toss became a contentious issue as most of the former players and stakeholders termed it a negative step.
Recently posted. 899 views . 0 min read
Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter Sara Tendulkar has reached an academic milestone after she graduated in medicine from the University College of London (UCL). Sh...
Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read
The newly appointed Kerala Blasters coach is also excited by the potential of Sahal Abdul Samad...
Recently posted. 1K views . 0 min read
Recently posted . 2K views
Recently posted . 2K views
Recently posted . 3K views
Recently posted . 4K views
Delhi Daredevils have decided to bat first after winning the toss ahead of their 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Kolkata Knight Riders
Del...
Recently posted. 988 views . 8 min read
NEW DELHI: South African superstar AB de Villiers has announced his retirement from international cricket, four days after his IPL franchise Royal ...
Recently posted. 987 views . 2 min read