Team India All-rounder Hardik Pandya Opens About His ‘Workload’ Before The World Cup 2023

In anticipation of India’s Super Four showdown against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder and vice-captain, offered insights into the distinct challenges and mental approach required for an all-rounder. He emphasized that his responsibilities during a match often amount to two or three times the workload of other players.

Following the conclusion of the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, Hardik Pandya had to undergo a significant back surgery, which had a noticeable impact on his ability to perform as an all-rounder. However, he has since made a remarkable transformation in his lifestyle and fitness regimen, allowing him to return to peak form and become a dependable all-rounder for the team as they prepare for the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup in India.

On match days, Pandya sees his role get adjusted as per the conditions and requirements in a particular situation and backs himself to get the job done. “When the game arrives, it is more about whatever the team requires, and the managing side goes out of the park, and it is more practical calls that how many overs are needed for me. Because if 10 overs are not needed, there is no point in me bowling 10 overs, but if 10 overs are needed, then I’ll be bowling,” Hardik Pandya said to Star Sports.

“As an all-rounder, my workload is twice or thrice as anyone else. When a batter in the team goes and bats and finishes his batting and is heading home, I’ll still be bowling after that. So for me, all the managing, all the pushing, and everything happens during the sessions or my training or my pre-camp season,” Pandya further added.

Pandya, as an all-rounder, shoulders a much broader range of responsibilities compared to specialized batters or bowlers. He emphasized the complexity of his role by explaining that he frequently has to excel both with the bat and the ball, whereas other players focus solely on either batting or bowling. Pandya also highlighted that the groundwork for this demanding task begins during training and in the lead-up to the camp.