Hardik Pandya reveals Virat Kohli's pep talk which helped him hit 52-ball 70: 'I am really thankful to him'

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Hardik Pandya thanked Virat Kohli for his invaluable inputs which helped his smash unbeaten 70 runs off just 52 in the series-decider against West Indies on Tuesday. Hardik, who captained India in the final two ODIs with Rohit Sharma resting, hit four boundaries and five sixes during the course of his innings.

The knock propelled India to post 351/5 in 50 overs and ultimately the team to a massive 200-run win to clinch the 3-match series 2-1.

The 29-year-old all-rounder revealed that Kohli had some tips for him and that the former captain suggested him to spend time in the middle and not rush to get used to the 50-over format. Notably, the outing was Hardik's first after the IPL 2023.

"I had a very wonderful chat with Virat a couple of days back, and the kind of input he gave me, he has seen me throughout the years. It's been almost seven or eight years of international cricket and he has seen me from day one. He had some pointers which really helped me.

"He just wanted me to spend some time on the crease and get used to the 50 or game as well because we have played so many T20 formats and yeah, that kind of stayed in my mind and I was just waiting for the opportunity. I'm really thankful to him as well to kind of share that experience with me," Hardik said after the third ODI.

Hardik also reckoned that India played with a lot more focus and intensity in the third ODI as the series was on the line. He credited the team for showing character.

"I look forward to this kind of game where, you know, think something is on the line rather than, you know, something which is just an international game. This was more than an international game. We knew what was at stake if we fail, there was some disappointment as well. So to kind of play the game we played and the way the boys came up, came out and kind of showed the character," Hardik said at the post match presentation.

Further. he stated that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested themselves to give opportunities to youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad who have been waiting for their chance on the tour for a long time.

"Virat and Rohit are a very integral part of the team. And, you know, obviously, this was very important for someone like Rutu to get a game or Axar to get a game because they've been playing cricket for so many years, they know how exactly all these situations have been. So kind of giving them the youngsters exposure and kind of making sure that if we want to check something, we have the opportunity to do it," he said.

Hardik Pandya-led India will now lock horns with West Indies in a 5-match T20I series starting Thursday, August 3. Seniors Rohit and Kohli will return back home. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma would join the T20I squad.