Twitter Reactions

‘Koi work hi nahi karta toh workload kaha se aayega’ – Fans react as Hardik Pandya talks about his workload ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup

Hardik Pandya has bowled an average of 5.34 overs in ODIs in 2023

Aug 1, 2023 1:44 pm

Hardik Pandya has been one of the biggest assets for the Indian team over the years. As a package, Hardik Pandya is a fantastic cricketer. The 29-year-old is a lower-order batter who can finish the innings, a fast bowler who can bowl in different phases of the game, a fielder who can take catches with precision, and a captain who can inspire the players in the side.

The concern about Hardik has always been his fitness. The Indian T20 captain has suffered many injuries in his career till now. The Choryasi-born cricketer took months to recover from the injuries he suffered in 2018 and 2019. During the period, the fast-medium bowler hardly bowled and played more as a batter in the side.

India realized the need to handle Pandya carefully, as he is an injury-prone athlete. The management did not rush to bring Hardik back to normalcy. Even in Mumbai Indians during 2020 and 2021, Pandya hardly bowled. It was only in 2022 that Pandya started bowling in brief spells. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Hardik was fully fit to bowl 4 overs for the Indian side.

Lack of bowling in recent years

Since the 2023 ODI World Cup is nearing, questions are being raised about Hardik’s ability to bowl 10 overs. The management is trying to push the All-rounder as a genuine fifth bowling option. On the other hand, Hardik has hardly bowled 10 overs in an ODI match. From 2020 to 2022, Hardik bowled an average of 3.67 overs. In 2023, a fit Hardik has still bowled only 5.34 overs per match.

As the Indian management direly needs an All-rounder who can bowl at least 8 overs as a fifth bowler, Hardik is the best bet. But Hardik has just not bowled enough. Speaking about the same, Hardik told the media “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 assured of an increased workload ahead of the big tournament.

Here’s how the fans reacted to Pandya’s statement:

Ajit Agarkar Sacked you 🤣🤣

— Vector (@Vectorism_) August 1, 2023

Bro playes only 2 format and in that he needs rest in one of them. What kind of fitness he is having?

— Rupesh Jadhav (@RupeshSJ28) August 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/Pavancool06J/status/1686224216021245952?s=20

Aaj jao phir teat cricket mein vaapis udhr india humesha se ek fast bowling all rounder lack kar rahi hai @hardikpandya7

— Akash Tiwari (@mr_tripathi_05) August 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/AjayKaswan66907/status/1686242427622010880?s=20