Hardik Pandya has been on the sidelines ever since the ICC ODI World Cup. India's premiere all-rounder was injured midway through the 50-over World Cup. Ever since, Pandya has missed a lot of action in the Blue of India. He missed the Afghanistan T20I series, followed by the five-match Test series against England.
Pandya was, amidst of his injury, handed an "A Grade" contract in the BCCI Central contracts. The Baroda-born cricketer received a lot of stick by the fans and critics. However, Pandya has been hard-skinned enough to fend off all the criticism off his shoulders.
Recently, Pandya opened up to media house Star Sports, about his ankle injury during the World Cup. He revealed how it was unfathomable for him to accept a four-month injury, instead of a 'five-day' one.
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What did Hardik Pandya say about his injury during ODI World Cup?
The vice-captain of the limited overs Indian team suffered an ankle-injury while bowling in the match against Bangladesh in Pune. The all-rounder is now set to make a remarkable return to the cricket pitch in the upcoming IPL 2024.
The newly-appointed captain of the Mumbai Indians revealed about his ankle injury to media outlet Star Sports. He stated how he told the team management how he eyed a return to the pitch, within just five days.
I told management that I will return after 5 days then I got injections done on my ankle in three places, I had to remove blood from my ankle, I wanted to give everything, Pandya told Star Sports.
Hardik Pandya said "I told management that I will return after 5 days then I got injections done on my ankle in three places, I had to remove blood from my ankle, I wanted to give everything then recurrence came as I was pushing so it become 3 month injury, I wasn't able to walk… pic.twitter.com/rd0fd2NV6a
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 17, 2024
The younger Pandya remorsed how he wanted to give everything to play for his country, and how it was just not meant to be for him. He recalled how he even underwent a medicine course in a hope to feature in the then-going ODI World Cup, in November 2023.
(But) Then recurrence came as I was pushing so it become 3 month injury, I wasn't able to walk still I was taking pain-killers for 10 days to push one final time as playing for my country is the biggest pride but I missed out, the 30-year-old recalled.
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What next for Hardik Pandya?
Hardik Pandya will lead his 'new team', Mumbai Indians, for the first time in his career. Mumbai Indians are set to make their IPL 2024 debut in the match against Gujarat Titans. The 'Hardik Pandya Derby' will be staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
It will be a blockbuster Sunday on March 24. The proceedings will kickstart at 20:00 hours IST.