India faced a body blow after Hardik Pandya was sidelined from action after South Africa t20 series due to a back injury. The Junior Pandya underwent a successful back surgery in October and is currently healing and has started working for his comeback to the national team. The Baroda cricketer said that his main aim is to get back into the national side before 2020 T20 World cup in Australia.
Recently, Pandya said that he did everything to avoid surgery but nothing worked out for him. He accepted that it affected his performance and he did not give 100% to the team. Pandya, who underwent a successful back surgery on 2nd October said that it was the right time as it would take four to five months to get fully recovered.
“I was managing the back, tried everything possible not to get into surgery or anything. After trying everything, we concluded that it wasn’t working. I noticed that I was not able to give my 100 per cent and that meant I was not doing justice to myself and the team. That is when I decided to go for the surgery,” Pandya was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Pandya is expected to return for the New Zealand tour that starts in later part of January in 2020. He will also get some matches in the IPL and finally the biggest extravaganza of t20 cricket in Australia.
“We thought this was the right time because even if I take four months, I will be coming back before the New Zealand series, mid-way actually. That was the plan that I play some international games, the IPL and then the World T20. The biggest concern was the World T20 which touch wood is now in place.”
“I want to win the World T20 and that is the plan. Have come close to it many times — the Champions Trophy in 2017 and sadly missed the 2019 World Cup. Our game might suit Australia. I wish to help the team get the trophy,” he added.
Hardik has been facing back issues in the recent while. He suffered a back injury in the Asia Cup 2018 encounter against Pakistan and he was ruled out of the tournament. Luckily, his absence didn’t prove way too costly as India went onto lift the cup by beating Bangladesh in the finals. However, Pandya may now be injury prone and proper care must be taken to ensure that he do not catch up with further injuries in the future that can cut short his International career.
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