India Vs Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli hails young Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav for stupendous performance

Pallekele, Aug 14: India skipper Virat Kohli lauded youngsters Hardik Pandya Kuldeep Yadav along with pacers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav for their performance that helped India complete a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka.

Kohli praised all-rounder Pandya who was adjudged the player of the match for his blistering ton, batting at number eight in the third Test that India won in just eight sessions.

Kohli termed Pandya's performance in his debut Test series as the biggest positive.

"The regulars have performed, but the biggest positive would be Hardik's inclusion and the way he shaped up in these three Test matches," said Kohli at the post-match presentation India won the third Test by an innings and 171 runs.

"The kind of confidence he showed the with the ball and the maturity with the bat, it really gives us a lot of boost and the balance," said Kohli.

Pandya smashed a 96-ball 108 yesterday for his maiden international century, helping India post 487 in the first innings. Besides a hundred and fifty in his debut Test series, Pandya picked up four wickets.

Later during the post match press conference, Kohli praised his pacers Umesh and Shami for delivering with the new as well as the old ball.

"Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav did really well in last home season as well, both with new and old ball and that's why we backed them in this series also. It's great to see them bowl with a lot of heart, still putting in the effort. Actually, the breakthrough from the bowlers in the last season as well was the key for us. The depth in bowling department has helped us," he quipped.

The skipper also had a word of praise for the young chinaman Kuldeep Yadav who bagged 5 wickets in his second Test match and was the wrecker in chief in the first innings.

"I think a chinaman bowler is something different from what people face so they can probably make an impact for a longer. But Kuldeep (Yadav) will have to keep working hard on his game, he's a great talent we know that. But in order to keep that fitness and game he needs to work hard and he has the desire to do so. We have faith in him and we believe in him," added the 28-year-old.

Though India won the series with ease, Kohli gave due respect to their opponents.

"We are a young side, we look forward to play Test cricket, we look forward to play every single Test match with the same kind of excitement and that is the only way you can be ruthless," he said.

"We like to be prepared before hand and be proactive rather than being reactive. We have age on our side and we have an opportunity to play together for five, six years for the country."

On the Sri Lanka's performance in the series, he added, "All of them are super talented players, that is why they are playing for the country. They beat Australia 3-0. Sometimes the side has momentum, sometimes they don't. It's all about keeping the belief going and not losing motivation because of a few results. That is what we believe in as a team as well."