July 30 (Cricketnmore) - India registered a remarable victory against Sri Lanka in the opening Test at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday. India captain Kohli is very happy with the team's performance. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kohli is specially impressed by young all-rounder Hardik Pandya who made debut in the test and believes that he for India what Ben Stokes is for England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 23-year-old made a quick-fire half-century in his first Test innings and took a wicket with his fast-medium right-arm offerings, adding another element to India's already strong attack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I have a lot of faith in him (Pandya) as far as any format is concerned," Kohli said at the press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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.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."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His timing and power was on display in Galle during his first innings 50 from 49 deliveries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We would have (made) 540-550 in the first innings (if not for Pandya)," Kohli said after the young allrounder got the tourists to 600.<\/p>\r\n\r\n