Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set for his return to high-level cricket through the IPL following his four-month break from the game to focus on his fitness. Pandya hasn’t played a single game – international or domestic – since the T20 World Cup last November.
He has been appointed as the skipper of the Gujarat Titans and this will be the first time for the Baroda all-rounder leading in the IPL.
The upcoming season is a crucial IPL in Pandya’s international career as he will make a bid for a return to the national side as India build a team for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
However, Hardik Pandya isn’t thinking too much beyond and focusing only on the “controllables”. He asserted that if he does well for the Titans, it will automatically help him in his return to the Indian side.
“I don’t think it is going to be my comeback or I am focusing on it. For me, right now I just want to be in a positive mindset and I’m not looking way ahead, I am just focussing on things which are controllables, which is looking after my body and making my team win,” Hardik Pandya said in a video on IPL’s website.
“Eventually if I do things right for Gujarat Titans in IPL then things will fall into places for future as well. I am just a work in progress right now…I am looking forward to this IPL because I have been away from the sport for quite long time. For me it is very exciting, I will get to see where exactly I am after three months of hard work that I have put in behind the closed doors.
“Result doesn’t matter because I have learnt hard work doesn’t guarantee you success but right process will eventually get you success.”
Hardik Pandya has had back injury issues for more than two years. He took the time away to improve his overall fitness and work on his bowling as well. Recently, Hardik appeared for the fitness test at the NCA and cleared it with a comfortable margin.
“I was just spending time with family, working hard as always. (I’m) making sure I prepare well. For me, it was a time of self realising a lot of think about what I want and what will work for me going forward and I got this answers during this time,” the 28-year-old added.
