'I'm a turtle, not the rabbit': Hardik Pandya finally breaks silence on bowling workload

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya opens up on his fitness issues following India's 6-wicket loss to the West Indies at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Pandya has been facing back issues since 2018, and during that time, he has witnessed a gradual drop in his performance and the other way around as well. While over the years, he has made himself a dependable batsman. But in the bowling aspect, Pandya gives himself the lacuna to refrain from burnout. The all-rounder has so far bowled almost 10 overs combined in the two ODIs taken place in the Caribbean, where he purportedly made it known that he is managing the workload to fire on all cylinders in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

3 things you need to know

• India and West Indies are squaring off in the ODIs
• West Indies won the 2nd ODI by 6 wickets
• India defeated WI in the 1st ODI by 5 wickets

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Hardik Pandya deemed himself as a 'turtle' right now

(Indian cricket team all-rounder Hardik Pandya during an international game. Image: AP)

Though it can be gauged as an improvement, but according to Pandya, he needs to cover a long distance. Following the 2nd ODI, the all-rounder stated that at this stage, he is fine. But to demonstrate how far he needs to go, he took the example of Turtle and Rabbit.

"(My) body is fine," Pandya said after India's six-wicket defeat to West Indies in Barbados. "I have to bowl more overs and get my workload up for the World Cup. I'm a turtle right now, not the rabbit, and hoping everything goes right as the World Cup comes on." 

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Pandya opens up on team India's latest ODI loss

Team India was defeated by the West Indies in the second One-Day International (ODI) as the visitors failed to live up to expectations. The lineup saw significant alterations, but the men in blue failed to impress. However, Hardik Pandya, who also served as captain, saw the setback as a learning experience for the team.

"We didn't bat the way we were supposed to. The wicket was better than it was in the first game. Everyone barring Shubman Gill hit (towards the) fielders and got out. Disappointing, but there are many things to learn," He mentioned.

After not bowling for months, Pandya is slowly getting into the rhythm of bending his back regularly. However, it appears that it will take him time to complete the quota of 10 overs. In the two ODIs played so far in the West Indies, he bowled 3 overs in the 1st ODI and managed to get to the mark of 6.4 in the 2nd ODI. It is major growth considering in 16 IPL 2023 games, the right-hander only bowled all four of his overs once.