Hardik Pandya can become the most accomplished player in Indian cricket: Virat Kohli

London: India captain Virat Kohli believes that all-rounder Hardik Pandya can go on to become one of the most accomplished cricketer in Indian cricket.

Addressing the media ahead of India’s ICC Champions Trophy clash against Sri Lanka, Kohli, on Wednesday, called Pandya an “asset” to India.

“He’s a real asset to Indian cricket. It’s very difficult to find a player who can almost touch 140kmph, and who strikes the ball the way he strikes the ball. And he can bat through the innings as well,” said Kohli.

The Team India skipper also went on to say that it does not take much to motivate a player like Pandya.

“When you have a player like that, you try to make sure that he is always committed, always motivated,” he said. “That comes naturally to Hardik, you don’t need to motivate him any further.”

Pandya, who was promoted up the order higher than the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav, played a stellar cameo innings against Pakistan, scoring 20 runs from 6 balls. More significantly, he smashed Wasim Imad for three consecutive sixes in the first three balls of the last over of the Indian innings; Imad went on to concede 23 runs off that over.

“If he gets the support that a player like him needs, he can go down as one of the most accomplished players Indian cricket has had.

“He’s a fit guy, superb in the field, superb with the ball, brilliant with the bat. Very hard to find a guy like that. The balance he brings into the side is priceless,” concluded Kohli.