Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya. (Credits: BCCI)

Hardik Pandya has not played a game since the T20I series against South Africa as he recovers from his back injury. The India allrounder underwent successful surgery to treat the lower back injury. The injury has troubled the ace since the Asia Cup last year when he suffered the injury for the first time while playing against Pakistan.

The injury compelled him to miss the home series against West Indies as well as the Test series in Australia. He returned to action on the tour of New Zealand and went on to play the Indian Premier League as well as the World Cup. Recently, he missed the tour of West Indies due to the same problem.

He made his comeback in the T20I series against South Africa but was soon sidelined and later underwent the surgery in London. As of now, there is no update on when would he return to action. But one thing is clear that he would be unable to return before 4-5 months.

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (Credits – Twitter)

Hardik Pandya on IPL:

Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, has given an update on himself and said that he is hopeful he will recover in time to play the Indian Premier League season. He is also optimistic about his chances of making it to the tour of New Zealand.

“Even if I take four months off now, I will still be coming back before the IPL, not even before the IPL, (but) before New Zealand, actually midway through New Zealand,” he told Bangalore Mirror before adding, “That was the plan, (that) I play some internationals, I play the IPL and I make sure that I do not miss the (T20) World Cup. We decided the biggest concern was the World Cup and touchwood it is right now in the frame.”

Read More  Watch - Mohit Sharma honors MS Dhoni with a heartfelt gesture in IPL 2024; Video goes viral on social media

Pandya further spoke on his back injury. He revealed that he could have played on for one more month, but would not have been able to give 100 per cent to the team’s cause, so he decided to undergo surgery.

“I was managing it. I tried everything possible. After trying everything, we came to the conclusion that there is no other option (but surgery). I was not able to give my 100 per cent. I was not doing justice to myself and the team, that is why I decided to go for surgery,” said.

Also Read: Prithvi Shaw To Be Part Of India Squad For New Zealand Tour: Report