Dubai: Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya went through a difficult situation in 2019 where he had to miss months of cricket due to back injury. Hardik had to undergo surgery due to the injury and had to go through proper rehab to return in the field. Now, the right-handed batsman will be seen in action for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. Mumbai Indians will face off Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of 13th edition of IPL in the UAE on September 19.
📹 | Kung-Fu Pandya talks about what the team has in store for the Paltan 💙#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #Dream11IPL @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/nkjrbIMx5L
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 15, 2020
Pandya was set to come back in the limited-overs series against South Africa in March, but the series was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 impact worldwide.
Speaking on the injuries he has suffered in his career so far, Hardik said that he gets more motivation from those.“In my life, I have realised one thing that injuries would be with me. No one wants to get injured but I accept the fact that what I do, injuries will be a part,” he said in a video posted on the Twitter handle of Mumbai Indians.
“Injuries have always kept me going, always kept me motivated, actually taught me how much I have to put hard yards and the hard work has always increased, never decreased,” he added.
Hardik also added that he and his brother Krunal have always focused on maintaining their fitness, and always try to go one step ahead. “Luckily, me and Krunal had the privilege of having a gym at home, so because of that portion we were able to focus on our fitness, which I have always believed that if you become much fitter than what you are previously I think you can increase your skill level and adapt to lots of things which you have never seen before,” Hardik said.
“I have always felt that if you go one step ahead in your fitness, there are many more magical moments in your life waiting,” he further added.
On being asked if he feels he is in the right space to play in the IPL, Hardik stated, “Luckily I got one tournament which was DY Patil which I played for Reliance, as a player it gave me immense confidence to implement the hard work I have done over a period of time. The way I am hitting the ball right now, the shape and mental space I am in, it is just a matter of time that I go and spend some time on the ground and I think things will come out pretty well.”
“IPL is something I have really enjoyed and I would like to make a comeback very strong, just looking forward to it,” he concluded.
