Wanted Time Off To Reflect On Myself - Hardik Pandya Not Keen To Rush His Return

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya continues to work hard on regaining match fitness and will return once he has had enough time to reflect on himself and his game.
The 27-year-old’s services are valuable to the team but his constant battle with injuries has forced the selectors to look at other options. Venkatesh Iyer is being looked at as a potential replacement in the middle-order.

“You spend a lot of time away from your family and that eventually takes a toll on you. I wanted time off to reflect on myself understand which areas I need to work on and concentrate on improving those things. I am doing two sessions every day. I have always worked hard in silence and will continue to do so,” Hardik was quoted as saying by Economic Times.
“Staying in a bio-bubble is very tough” – Hardik Pandya
Hardik was also keen on ensuring he gets to spend time with his family outside bio-bubbles. Touring abroad would mean the cricketers have to follow strict protocols and doing so for weeks on end is hard for anybody.
“I have always rushed myself with my preparation keeping the team’s interest in mind. But this time I wanted some time off to prepare myself physically and mentally. I also wanted to take some time off for my family. We have spent a lot of time in bio bubbles, though everyone has tried to make us feel comfortable, staying in a bio bubble is very tough,” Hardik added.
Hardik has bagged himself a contract with Ahmedabad for a whopping INR 15 crores and will return to the IPL as a captain. Since the start of his IPL career, he has been playing for Mumbai Indians, which has finally let him go ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.