Priority is to Get Fit and Return to Play for India: Hardik Pandya

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who had sustained an injury in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while playing a game against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2018, made a promising statement. However, his back injury kept him off the field for a while. Baroda-based cricketer revealed that he wants to recover fully in a bid to play for his nation again.

“I am just focusing on getting fit as soon as possible,” Pandya told IANS in a telephonic interview.

Moreover, the all-rounder reminisced after he was stretchered off the field following a lower back injury. The incident happened while he was delivering the fifth ball of the fifth over during a game against Pakistan-led by Sarfraz Ahmed.

Soon after, a statement released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed Pandya suffered an acute lower back injury.

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old is working on his fitness to get back into the national fold as early as possible.

“I want to get back in the field whenever I can. That is my only priority — to get fit and come back and play for the country,” Pandya added.

Moreover, while addressing the fitness, Pandya maintained the importance of being fit on regular bases means a lot for an athlete or vice versa.

“Fitness is everything… no matter if you are sportsperson or not. It should be a priority in your life because it keeps you healthy. For example, if the youth doesn’t focus on health, they won’t feel any difference right now. But with age, they will know… so that is why it is important for youth to be fit.” the all-rounder further added.

Pandya is no doubt a good all-rounder in the Indian team owing to his sizeable opportunities. He has cemented his position with his all-round capabilities across formats in the international circuit. And he also says that his journey has been quite incredible, to say the least.

Change has its own taste, reckons Hardik Pandya:

“To be honest, it has been a roller-coaster ride for me. There were ups and downs. And that is what you expect from life. Your life keeps on changing.” Pandya concluded.

So far, Pandya had played 11 Tests, 42 One-day Internationals (ODIs) and 35 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He scored 532, 670 and 271 runs respectively for Team India. Overall in the international leg, he had also bagged 90 wickets.