Hardik Pandya has stated that he is prepared to handle a much increased bowling effort as he prepares for the 2023 World Cup, but he is still a “turtle, not the rabbit.”
Hardik, who is now in the Caribbean with India’s limited-overs squad, has had two months free since the conclusion of the IPL. During this time, he “switched off” for a month before embarking on a three-week physical conditioning program at the National Cricket Academy, where fitness and skill were equally valued.
Prior to the series, he stated that he had informed team management of his desire to play only if he could also assist with the ball.
Pandya bowled 25 overs in 16 games for the runner-up Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023. Pandya has bowled 9.4 overs in two One-Day Internationals thus far in the Caribbean. In the first game, he opened the bowling but was only required for three overs in a game with only 45.5 overs bowled. In the second game, he went wicketless in 6.4 overs as West Indies won by six wickets to draw the series.
After the second ODI, Hardik, who replaced the rested Rohit Sharma, discussed how he is gradually increasing his bowling workload in preparation for the 50-overs World Cup. Following the upcoming ODI series, Hardik’s next 50-overs assignment is expected to be the Asia Cup, which begins on August 30. In the meanwhile, he will captain India in the T20I series against the West Indies.
“My body is in good shape. “I need to bowl more overs and increase my workload in preparation for the World Cup,” he remarked. “I’m a turtle right now, not a rabbit, hoping everything goes well as the World Cup approaches.”
On Sunday, head coach Rahul Dravid mentioned the importance of looking at the broad picture and not being swayed by short-term success. India have chosen to provide opportunities to peripheral players in order to give them playing time as regulars recover from injuries.
Hardik, on the other hand, is looking forward to the decider. “To be honest, you want to go into the third game with a 1-1 tie because it’ll be more challenging and exciting,” he remarked. “They’ll be tested, and we’ll be tested now that the series is 1-1.” The next game will be thrilling for both viewers and players.”
Hardik has yet to hit top gear with the bat in his two appearances. In the first game, he batted at No. 4 with India requiring 61 runs, but he was caught short at the non-striker’s end for 5 after Yannic Cariah deflected an Ishan Kishan drive onto the stumps. After a 90-run opening stand in the second ODI, he was part of a full-fledged top-order collapse.
He was out pulling a short ball from Jayden Seales to midwicket after making 7 off 14 balls. After losing Sanju Samson, India fell to 5 for 23. In the end, they were bowled out for 181 in 40.5 overs.
“We didn’t bat in the way that we were supposed to,” Pandya admitted. “The wicket was much better than it had been in the first game.” Everyone but Shubman (Gill) was struck by fielders and out. Disappointing, but there is much to learn.”
