Asia Cup T20: Hardik Pandya an overall package, can promote him often, says MS Dhoni

Pandya's all-round performance in the first match of Asia Cup will surely give him the much-needed confidence.

New Delhi: A timely cameo by all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the Asia Cup opener against Bangladesh has impressed Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he tagged the youngster as an 'overall package'.

Pandya who was promoted up the order, smacked 31 off 18 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six, to prove his worth. His free-flowing knock down the order, helped India put up a challenging total of 166 in front of the Tigers.

"Batting fearlessly is Hardik's strength and that's why we want to give him more matches, he's a good fielder too and a useful third seamer," Dhoni said in the post-match presentation.

"He is an overall package we can promote him often," as that gives them the option of "playing an extra batsman", added MSD.

Pandya, 22, also bowled four overs and gave mere 23 runs and scalped a wicket.

His all-round performance in the first match of the Asia Cup will surely give him a much-needed confidence.

India beat the hosts by 45 runs to start their Asia Cup campaign on a winning note. And with the win Team India has also pocketed two points in its kitty.

India's next match is against arch-rivals Pakistan, which is scheduled to take place on February 27th at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.