Virat Kohli: Hardik Pandya might be a regular at No.4
Virat Kohli has hinted that Hardik Pandya might get the No. 4 spot permanently, given that he keeps playing consistently and puts forward his best foot in every game. Moreover, Kohli claimed that Team India lost the fourth ODI due to the exceptional performance of the Australian death over bowlers.
Despite the loss, India had a few positives to take back from the game. Hardik Pandya put forth up yet another good performance at the number four spot. The all-rounder knitted together a 78-run partnership with Kedar Jadhav to keep India in the game after losing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in three overs. Given his commendable performances in the series so far, Kohli has hinted that Pandya could be made a regular in the demanding No. 4 spot.
"The plan to promote Hardik was to go after the spinner and get the quicks to come early into the game. He did that in Indore and he did it in this game. Hardik has got a solid defence and good technique. He is not just a slogger. If he gains more confidence and if he can understand how to take the game till the end, he might be a regular at that spot,” Kohli said in a post-match press conference.
Despite losing two important wickets in quick succession, India consolidated the innings and needed just 66 from 42 balls to win their tenth match in a row. However, the trio of Kane Richardson, Pat Cummins and Nathan Coulter-Nile ensured that not only did the visitors win their first away game in 11, but also made sure that India's top spot in the ODI rankings was also lost.
"Australia’s bowling in the end was very good. They got breakthroughs at the right times and that stopped our momentum, especially when Kedar and Hardik were batting well. If they had put on 40-50 more, it would have been ideal for us," said Kohli.