Hardik Pandya can become India’s Ben Stokes, says Virat Kohli

INDIA SKIPPER Virat Kohli lauded all-rounder Hardik Pandya and reckoned that he could be for India what Ben Stokes is for England.

In the first Test against Sri Lanka, the 23-year-old made a quick-fire half-century and also picked up a wicket. Showing faith in Hardik, the India skipper said,

"I have a lot of faith in him (Pandya) as far as any format is concerned. If he grows in confidence you see someone like Ben Stokes, what he does for England, brings in great balance as an allrounder. I see no reason why Hardik Pandya can't become that for India.”

Speaking about the Galle Test, the 28-year-old mentioned that Hardik bowled well on the track which had very little to offer to the bowlers. 

“In the first innings, he didn't get opportunity to bowl much but I think in the second innings, he bowled really nicely on a wicket that wasn't offering much and he kept it in the right areas. He used the bouncer well. He bowls around 135kph, so he is a great asset."

India will get into their second Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo, on August 3. 

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