Hardik Pandya Reveals Emotional Conversation With Virat Kohli After Surgery On His Back

India allrounder Hardik Pandya has opened up about the tough times he was dealing with after undergoing a surgery on his problematic back. The India star was having issues with his back since the 2018 Asia Cup when the same injury forced him to miss the team’s victorious campaign in the UAE. And after suffering a number of niggles, he finally decided to go under the knife last October.

As a result of that injury, Hardik Pandya has remained away from international cricket since September 2019. He was recently included in the India A squad for their unofficial ODI series in New Zealand, starting January 22. However, he is out of the tour with several reports suggesting that he failed the mandatory fitness tests.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya’s Trainer Rubbishes Fitness Reports, Reveals Reason Behind Allrounder’s Exclusion From India A Side

Whatever the reason is behind his exclusion from the India A team, Hardik Pandya looks unlikely to return to international cricket any time soon. He has already missed the series against South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka at home and will also miss the upcoming ODI series against Australia. The way things are panning out at the moment, it would not be surprising if he fails to make it to the New Zealand tour too.

Pandya on the surgery:

As Hardik Pandya desperately tries to return to action, he has revealed how challenging it was for him to recover from the surgery. The allrounder has revealed he could not help but get emotional when India skipper Virat Kohli messaged him, asking about his well-being after the surgery.

“I had a word with Virat. He just dropped a message, asking me how I am (after the surgery). I replied ‘I am good but I just wish that no one in the world goes through a back surgery’. I was obviously in meds and all and it was emotionally challenging as well,” Hardik Pandya told India Today.

Also Read: I Just Want To Be Hardik Pandya, Says All-Rounder On Comparisons With Kapil Dev & Ben Stokes