“I am getting tired”: Hardik Pandya provides fitness update after bowling 4 overs in IPL 2022 matches

Hardik Pandya provides fitness update: The captain of Gujarat Titans has been contributing across departments in IPL 2022.

Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya has expressed sympathy for Punjab Kings after beating them in a match which they should’ve ideally won.

A 190-run chase was brought down to Titans needing 12 runs off the last two overs. All-rounder Rahul Tewatia, having played just one delivery, hit consecutive sixes off Odean Smith to seal the chase.

“Hats off to [Rahul] Tewatia. It is difficult to go out there and hit, and to do it under this pressure is great. It was [Punjab] Kings’ game, I have sympathy for them,” Pandya told Star Sports during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Opening batter Shubman Gill controlled the chase for almost 19 overs to end up with a career-best 96 (59) comprising of 11 fours and a six. With Gujarat losing wicket-keeper batter Matthew Wade (6) cheaply, Gill had put together a 101-run partnership for the second wicket alongside debutant batter Sai Sudharsan (35).

“[Shubman] Gill is telling everybody that he is there. A lot of credit goes to Sai [Sudharsan] as well for that partnership. It kept us in the game,” Pandya added.

Hardik Pandya provides fitness update after bowling 4 overs in IPL 2022 matches

Pandya, who opened the bowling with Mohammed Shami at the Brabourne Stadium tonight, had managed to draw first blood by dismissing counterpart Mayank Agarwal (5).

This season has also witnessed Pandya consistently batting at No. 4. The 28-year old player contributed with 27 (18) with the help of five fours tonight as well.

Pandya, who has missed out on a lot of cricket in the last year or so due to his back surgery, appears to be in this good physical state after a long time. Being asked about the same, Pandya admitted to “getting tired” after bowling four overs but remained positive about his overall fitness status.

This team incredible! The fighting spirit! We never give up! 💥💥 @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/irEsl230iC

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) April 8, 2022

“I am going to get better with every game. I am getting tired as I’m not used to bowling four overs. But I’m getting better,” Pandya concluded.

Second-highest run-scorer for GT thus far, Pandya’s 91 runs have come at an average and strike rate of 30.33 and 124.65 respectively. In the 12 overs that he’s bowled across three innings, Pandya has picked a couple of wickets at an economy rate of 7.91.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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