CHAMPIONS TROPHY
Hardik Pandya can be one of the best, says Virat Kohli
London — Virat Kohli has backed Hardik Pandya to showcase his credentials as the future of Indian cricket with another swashbuckling display against Sri Lanka on Thursday. Pandya has emerged as one of India’s most promising talents since making his debut in 2016 and Kohli sees signs his young prodigy is ready to take his development to the next level. Having played a key role in the Mumbai Indians’ triumph in the Indian Premier League earlier in 2017, the 23-year-old all-rounder underscored his rapid emergence by making a bright start to his country’s Champions Trophy campaign. In an indication of Kohli’s high regard, Pandya was promoted up the batting order ahead of the great MS Dhoni. He responded by smashing 20 not out off just six balls in Sunday’s 124-run victory over Pakistan in Birmingham. But Pandya had not finished and he chipped in with two key wickets as India launched their title defence in swaggering style.
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