Hardik Pandya got the opportunity to don the captain’s armband once again in the 2nd ODI against West Indies in Barbados as regular captain Rohit Sharma was rested from the match.
He has led Gujarat Titans for two seasons now and has been captaining India since last year whenever Rohit is rested in white-ball cricket. During his time as a captain, Hardik Pandya has gained a notorious reputation for bowling himself even when fans think he shouldn’t.
Both for Gujarat Titans and for India when he’s leading, Hardik Pandya has bowled with the new ball at times. During the second ODI as well, he bowled a four-over spell with the new ball with no returns and later on came back for another spell. He bowled 6.4 overs in the 2nd ODI when West Indies won in 36.4 overs, and in the first ODI he bowled 3 overs with the new ball in West Indies’ innings that lasted 23 overs.
Being a turtle, not a rabbit: Hardik Pandya on bowling workload
Hardik Pandya’s bowling is crucial for India as they prepare for the World Cup. His role as an all-rounder would provide the team with great balance and he could even be the third seamer in the line-up that would allow the side to pick an extra spinner or an extra spinning all-rounder in someone like Axar Patel.
In the post-match press conference, he was asked about his bowling to which Hardik Pandya said that he wishes to bowl more overs per game in preparation for the World Cup 2023.
“I have to bowl more overs to get ready for the World Cup. Being a turtle at the moment, not a rabbit. Hoping everything goes well during the World Cup,” said Pandya at the post-match presentation ceremony.
India loses to West Indies in ODIs for the first time in over three years
Meanwhile, after losing 9 consecutive ODI matches to India, a streak that started in December 2019, West Indies have managed to defeat the Men In Blue in the 2nd ODI by 6 wickets. Now the series will go into the decider on Tuesday in Trinidad, where West Indies will have an opportunity to win their first ODI bilateral series against India since 2006.
Ishan Kishan was India’s top scorer with 55 runs. But after the first wicket fell, India collapsed, going from 90/0 to 181 all out. In reply, West Indies skipper Shai Hope scored a measured half-century to lead his side to a 6-wicket victory, pushing the series into a decider.
