‘Perfect example of look busy do nothing’ - Fans react as Hardik Pandya talks about his preparation for ODI World Cup 2023

Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya has expressed his desire to work for the 2023 ODI World Cup as he recognizes himself as a turtle now, not a rabbit. Cricket fans all over the world have reacted to Pandya’s statement, as the 29-year-old is set to lead Team India for the T20I series against West Indies. 

Interestingly, Pandya led his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 side, Gujarat Titans (GT) to finals after lifting the trophy in their opening season last year. Surely star all-rounder's presence is very important for India’s target of achieving a World Cup triumph in 2023. 

However, after the IPL 2023 Final on May 29, he took a break from cricket to rejuvenate his mind. As a batter, he scored 346 runs in 16 matches while picking up three wickets in 25 overs for GT. The right-arm pacer believes he will be ready for the marquee event as ODI World Cup is in October-November in India. 

"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 the rabbit and hoping everything goes right as the World Cup comes on,” said Pandya ahead of the third ODI against West Indies, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. 

Hardik Pandya will be leading the Indian side for the five ODI series against the West Indies

Speaking of India's tour of the West Indies, the two Test match series ended in the visitor's favour 1-0. Pandya has bowled a total of 9.4 overs across two games in ODI matches so far and has picked up one wicket. Speaking of the series, India won the first game by five wickets in Bridgetown, whereas the Caribbean came back strongly and won the second ODI at the same venue by six wickets. 

In the second ODI, in the absence of India’s regular skipper Rohit Sharma, Pandya was given charge to lead the side. Key players like Kohli and Sharma were missing from the lineup. Shai Hope-led side won the toss and opted to field first. Indian side batted first and was bowled out for 181 runs. 

In reply, West Indies chased down the target easily with 80 balls remaining and six wickets in hand. Now for the series decider, India will be up against the home side in Trinidad on August 1. It is likely that the Men in Blue will play with their full strength to win the series in the Island region. 

Here is how Twitter reacted to Hardik Pandya’s statement:

Perfect example of look busy do nothing

— dotΞxe (@dotexe786) August 1, 2023

Kitna selfish hai yeh harpic
7th bolwer the last match mei
Phir bhi new ball se.. khud bolwing karwata raha..

— Satya P Singh(spbtctrade) (@spsinghweb) August 1, 2023

He's simply not a match winner.

— Wali Rehman (@walirehman903) August 1, 2023

Liberty he is getting to test his body limits by using international matches for his experiment when world cup is at the door. should hv bn made to toil hard at domestic level and prove fitness.
Same for Bumrah. Making him captain on comback after 1 yr is another Bcci lobby story

— pankaj kanade (@pankajkanade6) August 1, 2023

Konsa workload? Koi work karta hi nahi h ye to workload kha se aaega

— Ajay Kaswan (@AjayKaswan66907) August 1, 2023

Anybody noticed..
From batting allrounder to full time Front line bowler.

— Ranjith Ragul  (@ranjithragul78) August 1, 2023

If he himself thinks he needs more over under the belt, then why was he rested for Ireland series?

— Yash (@YashHalgaonkar) August 1, 2023

We don't need a part time bowler like you, concentrate on batting or drop yourself, don't confuse the selectors.

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) August 1, 2023

Such is the state of our Indian Crickt now 🥲

There was a time when not clearing YOYO will not get selected

Now we have Turtles Flamingos nd what not

When u change rules according to your favorites ths is wat we get

Man is Playng fr INDIA n gvn such statemnts

Harsh but True

— Cheetah KING👑 (@SiddhuHarshaa) August 1, 2023