Bridgetown (Barbados): India’s stand-in One-Day International (ODI) captain, Hardik Pandya, has acknowledged that he currently considers himself more like a “turtle” than a “rabbit” as a bowler, but he is determined to increase his workload in preparation for the upcoming World Cup to be held in India later this year.
In recent times, Pandya’s bowling has been curtailed in international cricket due to persistent injuries. In the first ODI against the West Indies, he bowled three overs and managed to claim one wicket while conceding 17 runs. However, in the second ODI on Saturday, he remained wicketless, giving away 38 runs in 6.4 overs.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony after India’s disappointing six-wicket loss in the second ODI, Pandya expressed his focus on gradually building up his bowling workload, aiming to be in prime form for the World Cup. He emphasised that he is not rushing his preparations and is hopeful that his efforts will pay off during the prestigious tournament.
“My body is fine. I have to bowl more overs and get my workload up for the World Cup. I’m a turtle right now, not a rabbit, and I’m hoping everything goes right as the World Cup comes on,” Pandya said, showing his commitment to gradually regain his bowling rhythm.
India’s decision to rest skipper Rohit Sharma and experienced batsman Virat Kohli for the second ODI turned out to be a costly experiment, as the West Indies convincingly won the match. The series now stands tied at 1-1, making the upcoming third and final ODI on Tuesday a challenging and exciting contest for both teams.
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