Giving youngsters exposure: Hardik on Rohit, Kohli being rested

TAROUBA (TRINIDAD): Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya said stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli needed to be rested for the second and third ODIs against West Indies to help India give opportunities to youngsters ahead of the World Cup.

Skipper Rohit and former captain Kohli were rested once again in the final ODI of the series, which India won 2-1 after a whopping 200-run victory here on Tuesday under Hardik’s leadership.

“Virat and Rohit are very integral part of the team. And, you know, obviously, this was very important for someone like Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) to get a game or Axar (Patel) to get a game because both Rohit and Virat have been playing cricket for so many years, they know how exactly all these situations have been,” Hardik said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

After failing to fire in the first two matches, Hardik blazed away to an unbeaten 52-ball 70 in the series-deciding third ODI, and he thanked Kohli for helping him out during a “wonderful” chat.

“I had a very wonderful chat with Virat a couple of days back, and the kind of inputs 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 just wanted me to spend some time at the crease and get used to the 50-over game. He had some great pointers. That kind of stayed in my mind,” Hardik said.

“I was just waiting to get the opportunity and once I got the rhythm I could get going. When I get one ball out of the middle, things become very different. I have seen that throughout my career.”

Having suffered defeat in the second ODI, India was in danger of losing its first series in the Caribbean in 17 years, but an all-round effort ensured a thumping victory for the visitor.

“As a captain I look forward to these kind of games where something is on the line and not just an international game. We knew that if we failed, there would be some disappointment,” Hardik said.

“The way the boys came out and showed their character and how they enjoyed it, that’s something I want this team to have. In pressure situations, they have to absorb it but also enjoy it. Without pressure you can’t be heroes.”