ICC Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli reveals why Hardik Pandya was sent ahead of Dhoni. Team India beat Pakistan in the 1st match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. It was a thrilling 124 runs win. Skipper Virat Kohli was asked about why Hardik Pandya was promoted ahead of Dhoni, he revealed " It was unbelievable the way he came out. We switched in the end, they asked whether we should send Hardik ahead of MS and everyone agreed because he can just strike the ball from ball one, unbelievable ability so I think those three sixes and a boundary was probably a little bit of difference as well in the end,”.