5 Indian players who enjoy a lot of backing from skipper Virat Kohli

1. Hardik Pandya

If there is one player who has received some great backing from the Indian skipper, it has to be Hardik Pandya. More often than not, Pandya has failed to justify his place in the side as the “all-rounder”. One would be stunned to see how much faith the skipper has shown in him despite all the inconsistencies.

In 52 international innings under the skipper, Pandya has scored 1,126 runs at an average of 30. With the ball, he has picked 60 wickets in 64 innings. But, Kohli has had his back and the 25-year-old has had the added luxury for a long time now. Pandya failed against New Zealand (69 runs and 3 wickets in 6 innings), South Africa (158 runs in 11 innings and 10 wickets in 15 innings) and while playing in England (356 runs in 15 innings and 21 wickets in 17 innings) over the last 18 months.

He doesn’t boast of a record that cements his place in the side. However, Virat believes that he adds great balance to the side and has often picked him in the side over some other players. Although there have been a few good performances here and there, Hardik might have definitely not sustained in the team with such unreliability if it was not for Kohli. It is high time that he repays all the belief that the captain has had in him with some good performances, on a consistent basis.

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